The team of the Joint-task force on pipelines vandalism in Warri Delta state has smashed a notorious syndicate of oil thieves in an operation which led to the death of two members of the group while another reportedly escaped.
A group comprising Tony Chidi, Festus Obi and Igbinogua Elvis and many others specialized in illegal siphoning and smuggling of crude oil in Effurun, Warri using iron welding machines, chain-saw machine and other iron- fabricating equipment.
The Joint-taskforce in a statement from its Public relations department made available to journalists in Warri said that the command had been inundated with several reports on the illegal activities of notorious oil thieves in community.
It was gathered that the two members of the oil thieves met their waterloo when operatives in a covert operation swooped on the oil thieves and reportedly engaged the oil thieves killing two of them instantly while a third member escaped .
According to the statement, the gang believed to be members of a dreaded cult group operating from a neigbhouring state have been involved in crude oil pipelines vandalism and smuggling for several months in the community.
The Joint-task force however expressed its resolve to rid the entire community of all forms of smuggling ,oil theft and other criminal activities through effective partnership with other security agencies adding that it was against the illegal activities of oil thieves in the state and beyond .
It further said that the operations of the Joint-task force had been boosted with achievements recorded in past five adding the security operatives were determined to reduce the activities of the oil thieves by going after them whenever it was was right for them after thorough investigation.
Meanwhile, the corpse of the two oil thieves have been deposited at a nearby mortuary while investigations are ongoing into the illegal activities of oil smugglers in the community as a truck load of crude oil and other equipment used in oil smuggling activities were recovered during the operation.
The statement, however,said that the command was still in search of the runaway member,Igbinogua Elvis who the police have declared wanted for illegal smuggling of oil and pipelines vandalism.
