NSCDC Cracks Down on Illegal Oil Bunkering Operation in Rivers State
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
In a significant breakthrough against the illegal trade of petroleum products, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has dismantled a massive illegal oil bunkering operation in Rivers State.
Acting on orders from Commandant General Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad uncovered a large dug-out reservoir capable of storing 100,000 litres of illegally refined crude oil.
The Deputy Commandant Appolos Dandaura, Commander of the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, during a briefing revealed that the operation led to the arrest of three suspects.
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The suspects, aged between 30 and 42, were apprehended at Nembe/Odagwa Creek in Etche Local Government Area. The individuals arrested include Friday Faith, 30, from Akwa Ibom State; Progress Apogi, 35, from Delta State; and Richard Okoro, 42, from Ebonyi State.
“Acting on the CG directive, we have relentlessly intensified efforts in combating the menace of crude oil theft in the Niger Delta,” stated Dandaura.
“Upon sighting our operatives, some suspects fled the scene. However, the arrested individuals are currently assisting us with the investigation and will be charged to court upon its completion.”
The operation uncovered a large dug-out reservoir, several rubber hoses of various sizes, metallic galvanized pipes, calibrated rubber surface tanks, additional surface reservoirs, buckets, kegs, and funnels. These items were used in siphoning crude oil from a multinational oil well manifold.
Dandaura expressed gratitude to informants who provided actionable intelligence leading to the operation’s success.
He encouraged continued vigilance and intelligence sharing to aid in the fight against economic sabotage in the oil region.
“Our commitment to ridding the nation of all acts of economic sabotage remains firm. We advise those engaging in such unscrupulous activities to desist or face the full wrath of the law,” he stated.
