Oil theft: EFCC, Army arrest 120 suspects in Rivers

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says its operatives, in a joint operation with the Nigerian Army, have arrested 120 persons for their alleged involvement in illegal oil bunkering in Rivers state.

The anti-graft agency said the suspects were arrested on Saturday during a joint operation with troops of 6 division garrison of the Nigerian Army at the Ndoni area of the state.

A statement signed by the spokesperson of the commission, Wilson Uwujaren on Monday, said suspects were caught after offloading oil into vehicles at the waterfront for distribution within and outside Rivers State.

The statement read in part, “Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Port Harcourt Zonal Command, have arrested one hundred and twenty suspects for alleged illegal oil bunkering in a joint operation with personnel of the 6 Division Garrison, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt,” the statement reads.

“They were arrested on Saturday, August 13, 2022 at Ndoni, Rivers State where suspected illegally refined stolen petroleum products are off-loaded into vehicles at the waterfronts for distribution within and outside Rivers State.

“The arrest of the suspects was made possible by intelligence on the alleged illegal oil bunkering activities in the locality.

“In the course of the arrest, 8 vehicles and pumping machines were recovered.

“The suspects will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.”