Diesel theft spreads to National Assembly as two members of staff lead raid on its depot

SIX people including two National Assembly workers have been arrested for stealing large quantities of diesel belonging to the legislators' complex yesterday after they tried to make away with the fuel in jerry cans.

 

Fuel theft is a common occurrence across Nigeria due to the high price of petrol and diesel and it is not uncommon for government reserves to be targeted. Yesterday, the menace spread to the National Assembly complex in Abuja but six of the culprits were caught while one managed to escape.

 

Apparently, the two National Assembly workers were said to have coordinated the operation and invited their collaborators from outside. Those involved were said to have arrived the complex about 4.20 am and proceeded to the area where diesel is stored.

 

They were said to have arrived the complex in a Volkswagen Golf car, led by the insiders and then scooped over 11 25-litre jerry cans of diesel from the National Assembly depot. However, they were subsequently arrested by the police and in investigation into the incident is ongoing.