The Police says it has arrested 13 suspected oil thieves, impounded over 900,000 litres of adulterated diesel and 30,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Rivers State.
It was gathered that the suspects were apprehended by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police’s Special Taskforce on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering.
Parading the suspects and stolen products on Wednesday at the taskforce base, Port Harcourt refinery complex, Eleme, the Commander of the Special Task Force, Usman Kanfani, said the arrests were made between February and March 2022.
According to him, the task force also impounded 15 trucks loaded with 45,000 litres of diesel each, and two smaller trucks with 12,000 litres each of the products at different locations in the state.
Kanfani said, “Sequel to the Federal Government and Rivers State Government’s unrelenting pragmatic and sustained fight against illegal bunkering, pipeline vandalism and economic sabotage, the Inspector General of Police’s Special Task Force on Petroleum and illegal Bunkering Force Headquarters Abuja has impounded about 900,00 litres of product suspected to be adulterated Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and about 30,000 liters of product suspected to be crude oil within Rivers State from February to March 2022.
“About 15 tankers each loaded with about 45,000litres and two short tankers each loaded with about 12,000 liters of petroleum product suspected to be adulterated AGO were impounded by the IGP’s Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering within the State.
“Two container body trucks disguised to be loaded with foodstuff and groceries were also impounded by the Special Taskforce after a thorough stop and search discovered each truck was loaded with about 40,000 liters of petrol product tested to be adulterated AGO.
“One tanker loaded with about 30,000 litres of tested crude oil was also intercepted at Oyigbo area of Rivers State,” Kanfani stated.
He said samples of the products were collected and tested in laboratories and the results revealed the products do not meet the specifications of the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON).
He further warned criminal elements who engage in oil bunkering and artisanal refining activities to desist from such crimes, noting that the task force would not rest until they are apprehended and made to face the law.
“These criminals also stuff adulterated petroleum products in sacks, jerry cans; load them in saloon cars, buses and other vehicles and convey them to various buyers.
“Efforts are on top gear to arrest other suspects in connection with the offence.
“The Commander IGP’s Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering Force Headquarters, Abuja DCP Usman Jubrin Kanfani assures the people of Rivers State and the country at large of the IGP Usman Alkali Baba’s commitment towards fighting all forms of criminality, including the protection of government and public critical assets in order to curb economic sabotage and restore a healthy environment,” he added
