The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has announced the arrest of seven suspects involved in illegal dealings with petroleum products in Woji, on the outskirts of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The Corps also reported that a barge and three boats laden with Automotive Gas Oil (commonly known as diesel) were seized. Additionally, a senior official from the company associated with the seized barge has been summoned for
questioning.
The state NSCDC Commandant, Joachim Okafor, disclosed this while presenting the suspects to the press at the crime scene in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Okafor stated that the Corps is operating with renewed vigour and is determined to combat economic sabotage, including crude oil theft through pipeline vandalism, illegal bunkering sites, and the conveyance of illegally refined products.
The Commandant explained that two of the suspects were arrested along with a barge containing a substantial amount of illegally refined automotive gas oil.
According to him, the suspects were caught transferring the product from the barge into cellophane bags for further transport to an undisclosed location.
Okafor commented, “We are here at Woji Jetty along the Slaughter area in Port Harcourt. It is very concerning to see such a large barge filled with illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil.
“To date, we have arrested two suspects and have invited the director of the company where the barge is registered for questioning. We are also actively pursuing further arrests of perpetrators and their sponsors.”
He added that the remaining five suspects were apprehended by the Marine Squad of the command at the Tombia-Iwofe axis along the waterways.
Okafor noted, “Preliminary reports indicate that they were found with three boats loaded with an unspecified quantity of AGO.
“Our ongoing battle against crude oil theft is driven by our commitment to tackling illegal bunkering activities in the coastal regions, thereby increasing oil production in the nation.
“Safeguarding critical assets and infrastructure is our core mandate. As an Operational Commandant, my administration will restore integrity in the state.
“The Corps opposes all acts of environmental degradation and pollution that pose health hazards; we are determined to restore our economy’s glory and will not tolerate continued theft of the nation’s crude oil.”
The State NSCDC boss concluded by stating that a thorough investigation would be conducted to identify those behind the illicit activities and that the suspects would face prosecution.
