Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Rivers State have arrested 19 persons over their alleged involvement in illegal oil bunkering activities.
The operatives in separate operations within last week in different parts of the state also seized 400 drums of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil.
The Commandant of NSCDC in the state, Abu Abdu Tambuwal, while parading the suspects in Port Harcourt on Monday, disclosed that three trucks, boat engines, speed boats and other vehicles were recovered by the operatives.
Tambuwal noted that the command also discovered and destroyed 53 illegal refineries sites in different parts of the state.
He, however, reiterated the command’s resolve in taking the war against illegal oil refining and oil theft to all parts of the state, vowing that those arrested would be charged to court for prosecution.
Tambuwal said, “We have not taken the fight against vandalism of our natural resources to the creeks alone but every identified illegal dump in this state. Today, the Command has so far destroyed so many illegal dumps sited within residential areas and watersides.
“We are here again parading a total of 19 suspected oil thieves, A Nissan Primera car ladened with suspected illegally refined AGO; three trucks and one bus; a wooden boat; over
400 drums filled with Illegally refined AGO and two Yamaha boat engines used for acts of vandalism were also impounded.
“Also, as part of the measures put in place to drastically reduce and if possible, to wipe out every trace of adulterated petroleum products from moving freely in the state, several illegal oil dumps where these adulterated products are kept were also destroyed.
“On 4th February 2022 at about 1336hrs, nine suspected oil thieves were intercepted and arrested at an illegal oil dumpsite located around a church compound in Borokiri. A Green Nissan Car ladened with suspected illegally refined petroleum products (AGO) was recovered from the suspects.
“Same day at about 0215hrs along Elele-Alimini Axis in Ikwerre LGA of Rivers State, the Command impounded a White Colour Ford Bus with registration number Abia AR183UMA loaded with unspecified quantity of illegally refined AGO concealed In sacks.
“On 5th February 2022 at about I545hrs at Rumuaparaeli Waterfront in Obio-Akpor LGA, personnel of the Command’s Marine Patrol Team impounded a wooden boat commonly known as pour-put, laden with unquantified suspected illegally refined AGO. Alongside the wooden boat that was recovered are two Yamaha 40horsepower outboard engines.”
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