It was a big harvest of arrests at the Rivers State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as 19 suspects have been nabbed for their involvement in Oil theft and illegal dealings in petroleum products.
While addressing the newsmen at the Command Headquarters of NSCDC in Port Harcourt on Monday, the Rivers State Commandant, Michael Ogar decried the defiant attitude of oil thieves and those engaging in illegal bunkering activities noting that in spite of the continuous sensitization and relentless war against economic sabotage in the Nation the criminals have blatantly refused to change their ways.
Commandant Ogar maintained that sequel to the reconstitution of a new Anti-vandal Team of the Command, the Marine and land Patrol operatives have commenced full operations with a renewed vigour, professionalism and tactics in waging war against the menace of Vandalism of oil pipelines and oil theft in Rivers State.
“As directed by the NSCDC Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, a marching order was given to the Marine and land operatives to massively arrest pipeline Vandals and illegal oil dealers in the State and this has enhanced our doggedness in the series of arrests made by the Command”.
Giving the breakdown of those arrested, he explained that the Marine and land Patrol team arrested 19 suspects at different locations in the State; four Suspects named: Peter Udo, 20, Benjamin God’s power, 16, God’s gift Nicholas, 19 and Goodness Sunday, 19 were arrested with One Big wooden boat and a 40 HP outboard engine along Bakana river close to Bakana Community in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
In addition, three other suspects named: Jacob Fewu, 23, George George, 20 and Stanley Bruce, 20 were arrested with One wooden boat laden with 10,000 litres of Illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), a 40 HP Outboard Engine used for propelling the boat.
The Marine team in all-night tactical operations arrested two additional suspects named: Ade Monday, 27 and Abiola Gift, 29 with One wooden boat, 25 drums (6,250 litres) of illegal refined AGO and One 15 HP outboard engine.
Following a tip-off, the Antivandal Unit also uncovered a building used as a dump site for storing locally refined AGO along Cornerstone junction in Ogbogoro, Obio Akpo Local Government Area.
“We discovered an underground Tanker containing unquantified litres of locally refined AGO, a Plastic Tank containing about 3,500 litres of AGO and a Pumping Machine. The entire compound is now under seal and manned by our personnel while the Command would continue to chase the culprits till they are arrested and prosecuted accordingly.
In another development, five were arrested at Oyakama suspects community in Ahoada West LGA and Njemanze street in Port Harcourt. They are Onorode Daniel, 34, Samuel Odirode, 32, Charles Okeke, 43, Uche, 32 and Chinedu Iroanya 36 all male.
According to the Commandant, they were in the conveyance of an ash colour Toyota Sequoia SUV with number plate: LAGOS: Epe 539 AT laden with about 1,000 litres of AGO, a Golden colour Toyota Camry Car with about 1,500 litres of illegally refined AGO, an Ash Colour Toyota Camry Car with registration number RIVERS: BER 951 MU, a green colour Toyota Camry Car with number plate: RIVERS AH 824 AHD laden with illegally refined AGO concealed in cellophane and packed in sack bags which totalled 5,000 litres.
Another building close to Akpos Jetty in Abuloma community in Port Harcourt was also uncovered while the Suspects took to their heels upon sighting the NSCDC operatives; a short green and white colour: DAF CF 250 Truck with number plate LAGOS: EKY 206 XS laden with illegally refined AGO and Pumping Machine were recovered as exhibits.
The land Patrol team also arrested five suspects along Agwu/ Elechi street Mile 1 Diobu, Port Harcourt. They are Musa Mohammed, 36, Elisha Iyalla, 18, Iyeneobong Emmanuel, 25, Felix Ukele, 45 and Mba Awajimimam, 42.
“We recovered from them a green colour Sienna Car with registration number LAGOS DL 218 APP laden with 800 litres of AGO and a Truck branded liquid bulk with number plate LAGOS EKY 852 XS laden Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).”
This was followed by the arrest of Ifeanyi Nwauwa 43years along Azikiwe road who was in the conveyance of One (1) Gold colour Toyota Camry with number plate ABUJA HX 937 ABC laden with Illegally refined AGO.
According to the spokesperson of the command, DSC Olufemi Ayodele said in a statement that “To serve as a deterrent to those still getting involved in this unscrupulous and illegitimate business, all the arrested suspects would be charged to court of competent jurisdiction while the Command would do everything possible to unravel, chase and apprehend their sponsors.
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