The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Rivers State has apprehended seven individuals suspected of illegal involvement in petroleum products, specifically Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), in Port Harcourt.
Three boats filled with the illegal fuel were also seized during the operation in the Woji area, along the Slaughter axis of the city.
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Rivers State NSCDC Commandant, Joachin Okafor, made this announcement on Wednesday while addressing journalists at the crime scene.
Okafor disclosed that two of the suspects were caught in the act, transferring unrefined AGO from a barge into cellophane bags for transport to an undisclosed location.
“As of date, we have arrested 2 suspects and the director of the company where the badge domicile has been invited for questioning. We are on the lookout to effect more arrests of perpetrators and their sponsors.”
This operation comes shortly after Okafor assumed his position as the new NSCDC Commandant in Rivers State on September 5.
He has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to tackle the rampant issue of crude oil theft through pipeline vandalism, which undermines Nigeria’s economy.
In a separate operation by the Marine Squad of the NSCDC, five more suspects were apprehended. This arrest occurred along the Tombia-Iwofe waterways, where three boats carrying unquantified litres of AGO were intercepted.
“Our continuous war against crude oil theft is motivated by our resolve and commitment to combat illegal bunkering activities in the coastal areas, thereby increasing the production of oil in the nation.”
“Safeguarding critical assets and infrastructure is our core mandate, and as an operational commandant, my administration will restore sanctity in the state. The Corps is against all acts of environmental degradation and pollution leading to health hazards; the glory of our economy will certainly be restored because it will not be business as usual for those stealing the nation’s crude oil,” he said.
The commandant assured the public that a thorough investigation would be conducted to identify the key players behind the vandalism, with suspects set to face legal proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction.
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