15 December 2012, Sweetcrude, Benin – To send a strong warning to pipeline vandals and to discourage crude oil thefts and illegal oil bunkering in the state, Governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State yesterday ordered the destruction of 11 oil tankers seized by men of the Operation ‘Thunder Storm’ of the Nigerian Army in various parts of the state.
Governor Oshiomhole who appealed to the people to be vigilant, expressed displeasure at the rate at which vandals steal crude oil and other petroleum
products from the pipelines regardless of the risks involved.
“It is a shame that we still have criminal elements in our midst who, inspite of the fact that it has claimed so many lives, get involved in pipeline vandalism,” he said.
He commended the security agencies for apprehending people involved in pipeline vandalism and theft of crude oil and petroleum products. He appealed to the public to contribute by complementing the efforts of the security agents
and ensure that government properties are protected.
According to him, the arrest of the criminals and the trucks being used to commit the heinous crimes will serve as a deterrent to other criminals.
“This is to make the point that anybody who wants to use their vehicles for criminal activities should know that when they are apprehended they will be
destroyed,” he added.
Also present at the destruction of the seized oil tankers was the Commander of 4th Brigade, Brigadier-General, Abel Umahi.
