Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Rivers State Command, on Monday, paraded 12 suspects in connection with oil bunkering and illegal diversion of petroleum products.
Rivers State Commandant of NSCDC, Mr Muktar Lawal, while briefing newsmen, said the suspects were arrested in various parts of the State for offences ranging from stealing of petroleum products to diversion of the products.
Lawal said trucks and vehicles used in conveying stolen petroleum products were also impounded by men of the Command.
The Commandant said that soon after he assumed office in July, he constituted an anti-vandal team of trained officers who specialized in spotting vehicles and trucks with adulterated and stolen petroleum products.
He said that the team was also trained on how to identify illegal dump sites in the State.
According to him: “On 31st July, 2019 a 14000 liters trucks conveying products suspected to be illegally refined AGO was apprehended at Abonnema Jetty in Akuku-toru Local Government Area of the State.
“On 1st August 2019 at about 600hrs a short truck conveying products suspected to be adulterated AGO was also arrested at Abonnema Jetty in Akuku-toru Local Government Area of the State.
“On 1st August 2019, 4 suspects were arrested with unquantifiable bags filled with crude oil stacked in an open-bodied long lorry at GRA junction in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of the State.
“On 2nd August an open van loaded with suspected crude oil was also arrested at Macoba by Ibeto Cement Industry road.
“On the same date at 1200hrs a truck fully loaded with suspected crude oil in a 24,000 litres tank specially constructed within the truck was also arrested at SPDC pipeline Aluu Shell right of way in Port Harcourt.
“Other arrests made include 8 suspects, 3 long trucks fully loaded with suspected illegally refined AGO were also arrested.”
