Rivers NSCDC intensifies war against oil theft, arrests three suspects
…Impounds boat, vehicles, products
Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt
The Marine and land Patrol team of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Rivers State Command said it has arrested 3 suspects with 1 large wooden boat and 2 Vehicles laden with illegally refined petroleum products.
Parading the suspects at the Ogbogoro Exhibit Jetty in Rivers State, the State Commandant, Michael Ogar said following the reconstitution of the Antivandal Unit across the Federation; the Rivers State Command with a renewed vigour has impounded a large wooden boat laden with about 24,000 litres of locally/illegally Refined petroleum products- Dual Purpose Kerosene. (DPK).
He said that the suspects loaded the illegally refined petroleum products in cellophane and concealed them in sack bags.
“The products were carefully arranged in the wooden boat such that a layman would assume it as a passenger boat but based on sustained intelligence the suspects: William Chen (29) Male and Emmanuel Uriah (27) Male were tactically double crossed and arrested by our marine team along Isaka Creek, off the new Calabar River axis in Rivers State.”
In another development, the Commandant said the land Patrol team arrested one Anayo Obasi aged 38 years, Male for illegal dealings in petroleum products.
The suspect was said to be apprehended with a yellow and lemon coloured mini bus with registration number ABIA BND 82 ZM laden with about 1,500 litres of illegaly refined automotive gas oil (AGO) concealed in cellophane.
Commandant Ogar added that another Toyota Camry Car with number plate LAGOS GN 76 LND laden with about 1,500 litres of illegally refined automotive gas Oil (AGO) was impounded at Abonema Wharf by UTC junction.
He issued a stern warning to those he alleged were milking the economy of the nation through oil theft and illegal oil bunkering activities to relocate out of Rivers State as the new Sheriff in town will not compromise nor leave any stone unturned.
“We are fully equipped and ready to fight the menace of oil theft, vandalism of oil pipelines and all acts of illegal dealings in petroleum products in Rivers State.
“The Command under my watch will not accept indiscipline, compromise and connivance of officers with illegal oil dealers because any officer caught aiding and abetting illegal bunkerers would be rid of his uniform and accoutrements and treated like a criminal,” he warned.
The Rivers NSCDC Boss while affirming that the suspects will soon be charged to Court, also beckoned on the public to provide the Command with credible and actionable Intelligence that would enhance the Command’s operations in the State.
