The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps has arrested 19 suspects over their alleged involvement in oil theft in Rivers.
NSCDC commandant in Rivers, Micheal Ogar, while parading the suspects before newsmen in Port Harcourt on Monday said they were arrested in different locations during the command’s raid operations in the state.
Ogar said the raids were in support of Governor Nyesom Wike’s fight against illegal crude oil refining, largely responsible for soot pollution in the state.
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“As directed by the NSCDC Commandant General, Dr. Ahmed 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.
“The Marine and land Patrol team arrested 19 suspects at different locations in the State; four suspects named: Peter Udo, 20, Benjamin Godspower, 16, Godsgift Nicholas, 19, and Goodness Sunday, 19, were arrested with one big wooden boat and a 40 horsepower outboard engine along Bakana river close to Bakana Community in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“In addition, three suspects, 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 a 40 horsepower outboard engine used for propelling the boat.
“The Marine team in an all-night tactical operation arrested two additional suspects, Ade Monday, 27 and Abiola Gift, 29 with one wooden boat, 25 drums of illegally refined AGO and one 15 horsepower outboard engine.”
The state NSCDC boss disclosed that following a tip off, the Anti-vandal unit uncovered a building used as a dump site for storing locally refined AGO along Cornerstone junction in Ogbogoro in 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 tiil they are arrested and prosecuted accordingly.
“In another development, five suspects were arrested at Oyakama community in Ahoada west LGA and Njemanze Street in Port Harcourt.
“They were in the conveyance of an ash colour Toyota Sequoia SUV with number plate: LAGOS Epe 539 AT laden with about 1,000 liters 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 totaled 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 illegaly refined AGO and Pumping Machine were recovered as exhibits,” he said.
The state NSCDC boss added that the land patrol team also arrested five suspects along Agwu/ Elechi Street in Mile 1 Diobu, Port Harcourt.
“We recovered from them a green-colout 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 conveyance of One (1) Gold colour Toyota Camry with number plate ABUJA HX 937 ABC laden with Illegally refined AGO.
While expressing dismay that despite continuous sensitization and relentless war against these acts of economic sabotage, miscreants were still indulging in such act of economic sabotage, Ogar said all 19 suspects would be charged to court so as to serve as a deterrent to those getting involved in the illicit act,
“Let me reiterate our commitment to the war against oil theft and illegal dealings in petroleum products in Rivers State. The perpetrators should either relocate or risk facing the full wrath of the law,” he added.
