Tina Amanda
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps Rivers State Command has discovered over fifty illegal refined petroleum sites with about four hundred drums of petroleum product suspected to be illegally refined destroyed in a joint operation of Commandant General Intelligent Squad.
The NSCDC State Commandant, ABU TAMBUWAL who stated this while Parading nineteen suspected dealers of illegal oil bunkering activities arrested in different parts of the state, maintained that the fight against vandalism of natural resources is not only taken to the creeks alone but every identified illegal dump in the state.
According to him, the command has launched an operation to stop the soot in Rivers State which is targeted to drastically reduce and if possible, to wipe out every trace of adulterated petroleum products from moving freely in the state.
“We are here again parading a total of 19 Suspected Oil thieves, A Nissan Primera Car ladened with suspected illegally refined AGO, 3 Trucks and 1 bus, a Wooden Boat. Over 400 Drums Filled With Suspected Illegally Refined AGO and 2 Yamaha Boat Engines used for acts of Vandalism were also impounded.
“On 4th February 2022 at about 1336hrs, Nine (9) suspected oil thieves were intercepted and arrested at an Illegal Oil Dumpsite located around Former Church Compound, Borokiri New Road, Off Naval Express Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. A Green NISSAN PRIMERA Car ladened with suspected illegally refined petroleum products (AGO) was recovered from the suspects.
“Same day, at about 1354hrs, Six (6) suspected oil thieves were arrested and over 200 drums filled with suspected Adulterated AGO were destroyed at an Illegal Oil Dumpsite located at the Borokiri, New Road, Off Naval Express Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
“At about 1400hrs, same day, Four (4) suspected oil thieves were also arrested alongside a Yamaha Boat Engine, this was at another Illegal Oil Dumpsite close to the creek at the Borokiri, New Road, Off Naval Express Road, Port Harcourt, Several drums filled with suspected Adulterated AGO were punctured & destroyed.
“On 4th February 2022, at about 0215hrs along Elele-Alimini Axis Of East/West Road In Lkwerre LGA, Rivers State, the Command impounded A White Coloured Ford Bus With Reg.No. ABIA AR 183 UMA loaded with an unspecified quantity of illegally refined AGO ( Diesel) Concealed In Sacks.
“On 5th February 2022, at about I545hrs at Rumuparaeli Waterfront in Obio-Akpor LGA, personnel of the Command Marine Patrol Team impounded A Wooden Boat commonly known as (Pour-put) laden with unquantified suspected illegally refined AGO. Alongside the wooden boat that was recovered are Two(2) Yamaha 40horsepower Outboard Engine.
“On 5th February 2022, at about 1938hrs in George Ama Community in Okrika LGA, the Command impounded A BLUE MACK TRUCK with REG.NO. BORNO DAM 97 XA loaded with unquantified suspected illegally refined AGO.
“Same day, at about 2106hrs close to the water-front at Obodi Community off East-West Road in Ahoada-West LGA, the Command impounded A White And Blue Colour Daf Trailer Truck laden with unquantified suspected illegally refined ago in a fabricated tank/compartment underneath.”
He noted that the Exhibits are at the State Headquarters and also in the Command Exhibit Jetty, Ogbogoro, while arrested suspects are currently undergoing thorough interrogation and will be charged to court for possible prosecution.
The NSCDC State Commandant also used the opportunity to commend Governor NYESOM WIKE for assisting the command in the fight by setting up task force comprising the local government authorities, while reiterating the command commitment in ensuring illegal bunkering activities is brought to the bearest minimum.
Commandant Tambuwal, however, said that the command will no longer condone the destruction of aquatic lives and agro produce as a result of oil spillages orchestrated by acts of illegal bunkering in Rivers state.
