The Rivers State command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, said its operatives have apprehended about 35 oil thieves, including oil well head vandals.
The State Commandant of the NSCDC, Mohammed Haruna, stated that the suspects were arrested in various areas of the state between September and October.
Haruna said on Monday that apart from the arrest of the suspects, 10 trucks, three buses, two cars, two boats and two barges used in conveying stolen petroleum products were seized by the security agency.
Haruna stated that on September 13, 2018, the NSCDC, during a joint operation with men of Operation Delta Safe, arrested three suspects carrying illegally refined petrol in polythene bags in Ogbakiri, in the Emohua Local Government Area of the state.
“On September 29, 2018, naval officers handed over 14 suspects with nine trucks loaded with suspected petrol and crude oil. The suspects were arrested on Hurly King waterfront, Yesu waterfront and in the Sandfill area of Eleme.
“On October 11, 2018, one suspect was arrested and handed over to the corps by the navy with a Toyota Camry loaded with several sacks of petrol along Ubima in the Ikwerre LGA.
“Also, on October 14, 2018, one suspect with two barges loaded with suspected adulterated petrol was arrested by the anti-vandal team of the NSCDC along Bile in the Degema LGA.
“The following day, two suspects were arrested with a Dangote truck along Egbema Road in Degema.
“Four persons were also arrested around ATC waterside, in the Okrika LGA, on October 16, 2018, with illegally refined diesel and 9.9 HP engine boat,” the state NSCDC commandant added.
Haruna stated that the Peace and Conflict Resolution Unit of the corps had resolved 46 out of a total of 68 cases bordering on family/marital issues, breach of contract/indebtedness, land-related conflicts, communal clashed and tenancy matters.
