Ondo NSCDC arrests pregnant woman, 10 others over oil theft

By Akintunde Jacobs, Akure

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ondo State Command, has arrested a pregnant woman and 10 other suspects for allegedly involving in oil bunkering in the state.

NSCDC State Commandant, Hammed Abodunrin, while parading the suspects before newsmen on Monday in Akure explained that the suspects were arrested at waterway in Iju-Osun in Irele Local Government Area of the state with a products suspected to be adulterated AGOs (Diesel).

Abodunrin who explained that he could not ascertain the quantity of the products saying some of the products were packed in drums, polythene bags and jerricans loaded in four wooden boats.

According to him, some weeks ago Commander General gave order that anti-vandal unit of all the formation in the country should be reorganized with immediate effect.

He also said that the Commander General through the Ministry of Interior procured eight gunboats for the use of NSCDC and Ondo State happened to be one of the beneficiaries.

“All these efforts has started yielding positive results as at Yesterday (Sunday), 11 suspects were arrested with a products suspected to be adulterated AGOs.

“But one of them is a heavily pregnant woman and two are minor which we decided not to take to custody because of their condition.

“Though, we have taken their statement and whenever we need them we will pick them up and we are going to conduct investigation immediately and taking to court as soon as we concluded our investigation,” he said.

Abodunrin said that the suspects could not account for where they got the consignment and where they were taking the quantity to saying federal government could not afford to lose the resources of the country in the hands of few.

Abodunrin, therefore, warned criminals to stay ways from the state saying there was no way they could do it and go scott free with it.

He admonished the member of the public to be vigilant and always given adequate information for the corps to do it’s work diligently saying it was to ensure people lives in peace and harmony.

“It’s a renew fight against oil theft, against economic sabotage and a renew fight to ensure that citizen can sure of what their country can give them,” he said.

Famous Ojujoh, a 25-year old boat driver, who confessed to the crime while speaking with journalist said it was his first time of dealing with adulterated petroleum saying he was arrested with 20 drums of kerosene.

“I don’t know it is illegal and I think kerosene is what people can buy and sell. Though, I am not the one that really owned the products. I was driving an engine boat for some one,” Ojujoh said.