Alleged Delta oil kingpin flees to Cotonou

By Emma Amaize

WARRI—A suspected crude oil kingpin in whose residence at Ugborodo  community, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, soldiers of 3 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Effurun, allegedly discovered a cache of arms last week, has fled the country for Cotonou, Republic of Benin.

A source confided in Vanguard that the suspect, popularly known as AK-47, escaped to Cotonou after five loaded AK-47 magazines and 204 live ammunition were found in his apartment.

He was said to have called some close friends from his hideaway.

The suspect allegedly took off as soon as he sighted soldiers approaching his house at Ajudaibo, Ugborodo, penultimate week. When his house was searched, the weapons were allegedly found hidden in a sack inside the ceiling of his kitchen, while three suspects, including his girlfriend and two boys, were arrested.

It will be recalled that the said AK-47 had denied ownership of the weapons recovered from his home, claiming that it was planted by the soldiers, who invaded his home on the instigation of some chiefs in the community that were out to undo him.

Vanguard gathered that he fled with two other boys in two speedboats towards Benin River, but his whereabouts has remained unknown.

Commanding Officer of the 3 Battalion, Lt. Col. Ifeanyi Otu, informed Vanguard when contacted, yesterday, that the army was in search of the suspect and would arrested him whenever he was found.

Asked if he knew that the suspect had fled to Cotonou, he said he was not aware.