The military taskforce spokesman, Col. Otu disclosed the shocking discovery at Kokologbene in Warri South West area of the state where the pipelines were vandalised to make it easy for the oil thieves to have access to crude oil unhindered.
He said that the vandalised pipelines would cost PPMC N50million to repair, adding that though no further damage had been recorded the problem might be a difficult task to overcome.
Col. Otu said that over 42 large underground storage dugout, 100 surface storage tanks, 400 drums of refined products and over 50 refining camps have so far been destroyed in the last few days of the taskforce operations.
LEADERSHIP gathered that several persons including the kingpin have been arrested following a tip-off. The taskforce has however promised to leave no stones unturned in bringing to book the oil thieves.
A PPMC source who spoke on condition of anonymity noted that the Escravos – Warri trunk line has been vandalised many times within the last three months; a situation he disclosed had led to the closure of the line for repairs before re-opening it.
LEADERSHIP checks revealed that the army has arrested the kingpin who is described as “high tech oil thief” alongside other members of his gang and recorded a vessel named MV Cape Hope alleged in the area to have attempted to load crude.
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