Hyacinth Chinweuba
The Lagos Police Command has recovered stolen petrol tanker with content intact.
A statement by the Commands Public Relations Officer (PPRO) DSP Bala Elkana at the weekend said the Itire Police Station made the arrest.
According to the spokesperson, operatives led by the Divisional Police Officer, SP Barkfur Kromkyes intercepted a DAF 85 Tanker with registration number GGE 743 XN loaded with 40,000 litres of Petroleum Products along Iyana Itire pin down point, Mile 2.
According to Elkana, the truck driver, Muhammadu Mande ‘male’ 42years old of Yauri, Kebbi State and the conductor, Lawali Usman ‘male’ 34years, of Minna, Niger State were rescued unhurt. Two suspects namely, Charles Obllomo ‘male’ 37years old of No 22 Bara Ayetoro Street off Boundary, Apapa and Osita Onyeka ‘male’ 35years old of Wasai area, Orile were arrested.
In his statement, the truck driver averred that his truck loaded with 40, 000 litres of PMS at Swift Depot, Apapa was billed for Kontagora, Niger State. That on getting to a bad portion of the road at Mile 2, four men in military uniform stopped him and asked what Products he was carrying before ordering him and his conductor out of the truck into a red Toyota Corrola.
“The two suspects in Police custody, Charles Obllomo and Osita Onyeka took possession of the truck. The driver and his conductor were sandwiched by the four men in military uniform in the Toyota Corolla”
“The truck was driving behind the Toyota Corolla and heading to an unknown destination before it was intercepted by the Police. According to the driver, he initially thought the Hijackers are military men on stop and search duty until they started beating him and his conductor and threatened to kill them if they refuse to follow their orders. The two suspects were arrested in the truck and taken to the Station.
“The four suspects in military uniforms escaped with bullet wounds after a fierce battle with the Police. The Truck and the Toyota Corolla were recovered and moved to the Police Station”
“Two pairs of vehicle plate numbers and military caps were recovered in the Corolla. The truck containing the PMS was handed over to the owner, Sani Samaila ‘male’ 55years old, the Manager, Petroleum Nigeria Limited, Kontagora, Niger State. DAF 85. The owner of the truck was full of gratitude to the Commissioner of Police Lagos State Command for coming to their rescue.
Elkana further stated that truck owners have suffered a lot of losses from the activities of those truck Hijackers in the past without remedy but since the arrival of the new Commissioner of Police and the deployment of Police officers on Vehicles and Motorcycles Patrols, such ugly incidents have reduced.
Remember also that few months ago some hoodlums around that same Mile 2 area attacked a petrol tanker driver conveying petroleum products.
The street boys reportedly hit the tanker multiple times with metal bars to spill the contents on the floor.
The syndicate usually hijack trucks, offload the content in locations, mostly outside Lagos State and abandon the truck for the owners to find after some days or weeks.
The Commissioner of Police Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu,,has directed the Commander, Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) to take over the investigation and ensure that the fleeing suspects are arrested”
The police public relations officer also said that investigation is ongoing, and that the two suspects will be charged to Court as soon as possible.