Police
in Kumasi have busted a security supervisor alleged to be leader of a fuel
stealing syndicate at the Kumasi Depot of the Bulk Oil Storage and
Transportation (BOST) Company.
Stephen
Nana Yaw Nketia was arrested Sunday dawn as he led a team to siphon 24 drums of
petroleum products at the depot. Five other accomplices are on the run.
Stephen
and four members of the gang work for Jidem Security Services, a private firm
engaged five years ago to manage the security activities at the Kumasi BOST.
The
fifth person is believed to be driver of the KIA truck used in Sunday’s
operation.
Luv
News sources indicate the oil-siphoning operation has been going for some time
and usually takes place at night on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
The
syndicate undertakes its nefarious activity by switching off the CCTV system at
the depot.
According
to our sources, the suspects do not use the usual pumps for oil lifting, rather
break into a secured valve under lock and key.
A
tip-off from a man, who refused a 5,000 cedi bribe offer, led the Asokwa police
to effect arrest.
District
Police Commander, Superintendent Rev. Samuel Nyamekye Adane-Ameyaw, says the
suspects had filled 18 of the 24 drums at the time of arrest.
“Because
when they went in they had locked up the gate, the policemen could not have
easy access, so the rest who were doing the operation managed to escape narrowly
from Police arrest,” he told Luv News.
The BOST facility in Kumasi holds a maximum
capacity of 84 million barrels of petrol and diesel to serve the Ashanti, Brong
Ahafo and parts of the Western Regions.
The
suspects would have lifted 6,000 liters of fuel if they had managed to fill-in
all 24 drums.
Luv
News sources say depot managers are often blamed for shortages in collation and
tallying of sales figures.
Police
investigations continue.
Story
by Kofi Adu Domfeh
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