The Delta State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) says it has discovered an illegal loading point in Odorubu waterside in Patani Local Government Area of the State, where illegally refined petroleum products are lifted.
NSCDC said the breakthrough was recorded following credible intelligence by men of the Commandant General Special Intelligence Squad (CGSIS) who arrived in the state on a special mission.
The state NSCDC spokesperson, Emeka Peters Okwechime, in a statement in Asaba on Wednesday, said about six tankers and articulated trucks loaded with illegally refined petroleum products suspected to be automated gasoline oil (AGO) were impounded.
He said the suspected vandals had resisted the NSCDC operatives, using a 120 liters capacity tanker to barricade the only road leading to the illegal loading point.
According to the statement, “In a determined effort to gain access into the loading point, men of the CGSIS engaged the services of about six truck drivers, two auto electricians, and a tow truck, which towed away the heavily loaded 120 liters capacity truck used by the crude oil thieves to barricade the road leading to the illegal loading point.”
Okwechime further disclosed that barely 24 hours after arrival, the CGSIS team arrested four suspects in Warri with illegally refined petroleum product suspected to be AGO concealed in 25-liter polythene sacks numbering about 300.
He said the suspects identified as Clement Mike (34 years), Tobore Morgan (39 years), Jeff Oluchi (29 years), and a 40-year-old lady, Chinwe Ikpeamachukwu had loaded the products in a blue Toyota Camry with registration number BMA 786 TN and a Toyota Sienna with registration number KSF 107 CD.
The NSCDC spokesperson noted that the suspects would be charged to court at the end of the investigation.
