Security agents attached to Otu-Jeremi police division in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State have arrested a suspected oil thief, identified as Mr Anthony Sigidi over unabated illegal oil bunkering activities in Oghior community in Udu local government area.
The suspect, was arrested at Oginibo community with a Daylong motorcycle in an operation led by the Otu-Jeremi, DPO, Mr Pius Eredei while others escaped. It was gathered.
According sources, “Mr Anthony Sigidi and his gang have been allegedly involved in the ongoing bunkering activities at Oghior community in Udu local government area of Delta State.”
Though, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe could not confirm the incident in a terse message sent to him as at the time of this report.
But a senior security source from the Delta State Police Command, who confirmed the arrest, revealed that the suspect made a confessional statement and he is currently in custody of the police at Otu-Jeremi.
He said, “When he was arrested, Anthony Sigidi reached in his confessional statement to the police that he and others are working for a woman and he is also a spy that determines when the road is clear for his gang members to convey the stolen crude.
He is currently at Otu-Jeremi police station awaiting his transfer to Ovwaian police station for onward transfer to the Asaba for more investigations
“The police are investigating the incident with the confessional statement and more arrest would be made.” The security source revealed.
Some hoodlums in Oghior community, have been allegedly involved in oil bunkering activities under the leadership of (Sharp)
It would be recalled that, nearly a month ago, the arrested suspect, Sigidi, Asharp and others engaged police officers from Ovwian/Aladja division in a shoot out.
It took the Divisional Police Officer over two hours before he could rescue men and two police vans from the grip of the hoodlums.
Reacting to the arrest of Anthony Sigidi, a member of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, VGN, Udu Central, who spoke from his hiding, called on Delta State Commissioner of Police, Wale Abass not to relent in bringing the suspect to justice.
He said, “Because we are against the bunkering activities in Oghior, all the vigilantes have been chased from the community and the police are aware.
“For nearly two months now, Asharp and his cohorts chased us out, they burnt down our security post, currently we cannot enter the community.
“The president general of Oghior is aware and he turning a deaf ear to the bunkering activities and our current situation.
“He has been evading the invitation of the police because he is been used by some politicians from the local government.”
“As we speak with you now, the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Mr Pius Eredei at Otu-Jeremi division is under pressure from high ranking politicians to grant the suspect bail without taking him to Ovwian police division and further investigations”The vigilante member alleged.
As at the time of the report, it was learned that Mr Sigidi has been transferred from Otu-Jeremi police division for further investigations.
