Nebbi Police arrests two over fuel siphoning while smoking

By Mike Rwothomio 

Two youths have been arrested at Goli border customs in Jupangira Sub-county Nebbi district over the illegal activities of syphoning fuel from stationed fuel trucks whilst smoking.

Syphoning of fuel using Kaveras, Jerrycans, Basins and small containers is a common practice in the Jupangira Sub-county Nebbi district where trucks loaded with fuel destined for DRC are normally stationed as they await clearance from Goli border customs.

During an engagement meeting organised by Local leaders of the Jupangira sub-county to interface with officials from the custom and security to discuss challenges that many locals are going through in the area.

The OC station Goli border custom police post-Paul Kangave without disclosing the suspect’s names revealed that they are having in custody two youths who were reportedly arrested for syphoning fuel from fuel tanks from some stationed trucks at the custom, before cautioning other locals against engaging in such acts that he notes is too risky.

Kangave promised to work with the community to stop such risky acts before appealing for community intervention as well.

” It’s about syphoning of fuel, in my policing career, I believe a lot in fair justice, now all of us here, I want us to take back the information to our children. It’s the last time that we are sending the last warning which is not going to apply to those two we have in our custody. They were arrested for syphoning fuel from some trucks” Kangave explained.

Of late, Goli border customs has been grappling with the main challenge of slow clearance of trucks destined for DRC  which gives a softer landing for some idle youth to engage in risky activity of fuel syphoning in the area.

The charge URA Goli border custom Peter Ekuju during an engagement meeting with the community in the area notes that the riskier bit of it is that, most youth syphon fuel whilst smoking.

“We have many youths who are syphoning fuel when trailers are coming from DRC Side, they are syphoning whilst smoking. They syphon using green or black kaveeras, containers after opening the valves which is very risky, we call upon our people to restrain from the such act” Ekuju noted before adding that,
the act if not properly addressed might damage the multi-billion government projects at the Goli border custom in the Nebbi district by the stroke of a pen.

However, The Defence secretary of Goli Boma East village  Jupangira parish Jupangira sub-county, has blamed security in the area for demanding bribes from the youth who usually engage in such kind of risky activities thus springboarding the act.

The LC 3 chairperson of Jupangira sub county James Ogenmungu has sounded a warning to most people who engage in such acts adding that they will be protected by any law.

It’s not clear whether the two will be charged or be cautioned.