The Abia State Command of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has apprehended five suspected oil vandals operating in Obiakpu Asa in Ukwa West Local Government Area of the State.
Also, six vehicles allegedly used by the suspects to carry out the bunkering business have been impounded by the Command.
Speaking before parading the suspects at Obiakpu, the new Abia State Commandant of NSCDC, Mr. Usman Ishaq Alfadarai, said the suspects were arrested through credible intelligence gathering.
He further said two of the suspects, who earlier absconded while being interrogated along Enugu/Port Harcourt expressway while conveying some quantities of crude oil in a Toyota Camry car, gave his men a link to the forest where the nefarious activities were taking place.
The Commandant, who vowed that the NSCDC will ensure that operators of illegal refineries in the State are kept at bay, described their act as economic sabotage capable of truncating the food security programme of the Federal Government.
Alfaradai appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to assist the security agencies with credible information that will enhance their operations, reiterating the Commandant-General of NSCDC’s resolve to deal with any one involved in oil bunkering activity.
The NSCDC said investigations have commenced to arrest the remaining suspects involved in the illegal oil business.