Seven suspects involved in illegal dealings with petroleum products in Woji, on the outskirts of Port Harcourt, Rivers State have been arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The corps also seized a barge and three boats laden with Automotive Gas Oil (commonly known as diesel), and summoned a senior official from the company for
questioning on the seized barge.
Presenting the suspects to the press at the crime scene in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, the state NSCDC Commandant, Joachim Okafor, stated that the Corps, operating with renewed vigour, is determined to combat economic sabotage, including crude oil theft through pipeline vandalism, illegal bunkering sites, and the conveyance of illegally refined products.
The Commandant explained that two of the arrested suspects were caught transferring the product from the barge into cellophane bags for further transport to an undisclosed location.
“We are here at Woji Jetty along the Slaughter area in Port Harcourt. It is very concerning to see such a large barge filled with illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil.
“To date, we have arrested two suspects and have invited the director of the company where the barge is registered for questioning. We are also actively pursuing further arrests of perpetrators and their sponsors,” he said.
He added that the remaining five suspects were apprehended by the Marine Squad of the command at the Tombia-Iwofe axis along the waterways.
Okafor added: “Preliminary reports indicate that they were found with three boats loaded with an unspecified quantity of AGO.
“Our ongoing battle against crude oil theft is driven by our commitment to tackling illegal bunkering activities in the coastal regions, thereby increasing oil production in the nation.
“Safeguarding critical assets and infrastructure is our core mandate. As an Operational Commandant, my administration will restore integrity in the state.
“The Corps opposes all acts of environmental degradation and pollution that pose health hazards; we are determined to restore our economy’s glory and will not tolerate continued theft of the nation’s crude oil.”
The State NSCDC boss concluded by stating that a thorough investigation would be conducted to identify those behind the illicit activities and that the suspects would face prosecution.
Comments
Post a Comment