The Delta State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two suspects in connection with illegal oil bunkering in Oghior community, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State.
The spokesperson for the Command, DSP Bright Edafe in a phone chat said the two suspects in police custody will be charged in court soon.
Tension had heightened recently in Oghior community as some persons involved in oil bunkering activity in the community allegedly pinned down two trucks belonging to security operatives drafted from Ovwian Division in a gun duel.
It was gathered that the security operatives had arrested a truck ladened with suspected crude oil along with the owner who took them to Oghior depot where the product was loaded.
Sources in the community said the local vigilante chased from the community by the suspected oil bunkers had their security post burnt down at Oghior junction.
According to the sources a suspect who was arrested had led security operatives to the community and the hoodlums who had barricaded the entrance to the community engaged them in a shoot out.
The security operatives it was learnt were held down for over two hours before the arrival of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) from Ovwian Division who mobilized both the local vigilantes and his men to rescue the officers after a heavy gun battle.
Narrating their ordeal, chairman of the local vigilante, Mr Wisdom Umukoro said, last Friday they were at their checkpoint when the DPO from Ovwian station came to mobilize them to follow him to the community.
“After the departure of the police, the hoodlums led by one ASharp attacked us, my son, Favour Umukoro, 23, and one of our members were seriously beaten and injured. We could not do anything because they were armed.
“This is not the first time, the hoodlums had a shoot out the military men fee months ago and their bunkering camps and depot were destroyed.
“After their previous shoot with the military, they returned to the bush and continued their illegal bunkering activities before another shoot out encounter with the police last Friday.
“Presently we have been chased out of our home and we are speaking to you from our hideout, and our properties have been destroyed.
“We want the state and federal government to come to our rescue from the menace of these hoodlums”.
The suspected oil bunkers were said to have been armed with sophisticated weapons.
It was gathered that during the gun battle and one of them identified as Etomax was shot in his legs before he was taken away by the police.
