In a significant operation against illegal oil theft, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has seized a truck carrying approximately 70,000 liters of stolen crude oil in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The operation, carried out by the NSCDC’s Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CGS SIS), highlights the ongoing battle against oil theft and illegal bunkering activities in the Niger Delta region.
The truck was intercepted near the Eleme flyover in Elelewon, Port Harcourt, after a tip-off provided by local intelligence. NSCDC’s National Public Relations Officer, Afolabi Babawale, confirmed the seizure in a statement issued on Monday, detailing the operation. Babawale revealed that the truck, with registration number AGL574XY, was fully loaded with crude oil siphoned from vandalized wellheads and damaged pipelines.
According to the Squad Commander, AS Dandaura, the team swiftly moved to the scene and impounded the red-head, navy-blue container truck. The stolen crude oil was hidden in an inbuilt storage tank within the truck, making it a complex operation to detect.
“The truck was fully loaded with siphoned crude oil illegally drawn from vandalized wellheads and destroyed pipelines,” Babawale stated, adding that the truck’s occupants fled the scene upon seeing the security operatives. Despite the fleeing suspects, NSCDC officials seized the truck and its illicit cargo, underscoring their commitment to combatting oil theft in the region.
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Babawale further disclosed that an investigation is underway to track down the criminal syndicate behind the illegal operation. He described the act as a major form of economic sabotage, which undermines the nation’s resources and security.
As part of its legal actions, the NSCDC will seek the forfeiture of the truck and its stolen contents in a court of competent jurisdiction. Proceeds from the sale of the truck and its cargo are to be deposited into the Proceeds of Crime Account (POCA).
The NSCDC’s Special Intelligence Squad continues to target illicit dealings in petroleum products, particularly in the Niger Delta, with a firm warning to perpetrators: those involved in these criminal activities will face the full force of the law.
This seizure marks another win for the NSCDC in its relentless fight against oil theft and illegal bunkering in Nigeria. The operation is part of broader efforts aimed at restoring security and safeguarding the country’s vital oil resources.
