NSCDC arrests 23 suspected oil thieves in Delta

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Delta state command, says it has arrested 23 suspected oil thieves in a 3,000 tonnes capacity vessel.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, the NSCDC said the operation was carried out in collaboration with Tantitta Security Services Limited (TSSL), a firm owned by Government ‘Tompolo’ Ekpemupolo.

The defence corps also warned those engaging in illegal oil bunkering to desist from doing so.

“NSCDC Delta state command in joint operations with Tantitta Security arrests 23 suspects in a 3000 metric tons capacity vessel, and sends warning signals to illegal oil bunkerers,” the statement reads.

Meanwhile, the Rivers state command of the NSCDC, on Monday, said it destroyed illegal bunkering sites in the state.

Speaking with journalists at the site of the incident, Olufemi Ayodele, spokesperson of the command, said, “The success of the Marine Unit hinged on credible intelligence that some suspects were carrying out illegal oil bunkering activities at Cawthome Channel in Damakiri Area.

“Having vandalised Sahara Oil Well Heads and pipes, they went further to siphon crude oil and establish a local refining site in the area,” he added.

On January 13, 2024, Tantitta arrested an ocean-going vessel conveying thousands of metric tonnes of ‘stolen crude’ oil offshore Bayelsa state.

The vessel, named MT Kally, was said to have been apprehended during a joint operation by officials of TSSL and operatives of the NSCDC.