With the renewed vigour and relentless determination in the fight against Crude oil theft and protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure across the nation, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) has been able to make much of an inroad which has culminated in the dismantling of several illegal local refining sites.
According to the National Public Relations Officer of the Corps, Babawale Afolabi in Abuja, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps achieved the feat in a very thick forest at Umelechi Ukwa West in Abia State.
Relaying the ordeal of arresting 14 Suspects in connection with the alleged crime; Deputy Commandant Appolos Dandaura, the Commander, Special Intelligence Squad of the Commandant General hinted that the success of the sting operation was hinged on sustained and credible Intelligence which revealed that economic saboteurs were carrying out illegal bunkering activities inside a very thick forest at Umelechi/Obiapu Communities in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.
“Our operatives were strategically positioned due to the tenacity of the operation large quantities of already siphoned crude oil were loaded inside locally fabricated cooking ovens in readiness for refining into Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) while some had been refined into DPK and AGO both stored in GP Tanks, Cellophane bags and many sacks”
“The Squad also sighted and marked the following as exhibits: Kemade KM8500E2 Power Generating Set, FIRMAN FPG8800E2, ROBIN EY20 PUMPING MACHINE, IN4000, 3 New Roll of Hoses, Galvanized metal pipes, Shovels, Head flashlights, Several cellophane bags, 4 Bags of Cement, Hammer, Clothing and Shoes”.
“Let me assure the public that thorough investigation would be carried out to ascertain the level of involvement of the following suspects: Chimaza Okwudilli (M) 35years, Nwachi Anthony (M) 24years, Solomon Ikechi (M) 24years, Cletus Michael (M) 27years, Kator Mbatsavmpuur (M) 21 years, Emmanuel Abbia (M) 19years, Benson Vitalis (M) 18years, Tamarakru Diebeketeme (M) 53 years, Esther Chukwu (F) 25years, Mary Barnabas (F) 45 years, Lydia Newton (F) 46 years, Ngozi Nwagnara (F) 48years, Ann Agu (F) 33years and Ahmed Usman (M) 45years”.
“The 14 suspects would thereafter have their time in Court of competent Jurisdiction; Our determination to wage relentless war against illegal dealings in Petroleum Products remains unwavering as the NSCDC is committed fully to safeguarding all critical infrastructure and prosecution of oil thieves and their sponsors who vowed not to repent from such unscrupulous acts.”
