ANTI-VANDALISM: RIVERS NSCDC IMPOUND 4 VEHICLES AND 2 TRUCKS NABS 4 SUSPECTS FOR OIL THEFT
By People’s Voice Nigeria | News
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Rivers State Command, in its renewed vigour to stamp down illegal oil bunkering activities in Rivers State, has arrested four suspects for their illegal dealings in petroleum products.
Speaking on the need for concerted effort to nip in the bud the activities of those sabotaging the economy of the nation through their involvement in vandalism of oil pipelines, operations of illegal refineries, and oil theft, NSCDC Rivers State Commandant Michael Besong Ogar FCAI said the Corps remains the lead agency in safeguarding all critical national assets and infrastructures in the nation, and the Command has redoubled its effort to tackle the menace of illegal oil bunkering activities both on land and across the waterways in Rivers State.
“Our commitment to fighting illegal oil bunkering activities in Rivers State remains sacrosanct; we have a strong synergy with Sisters Security Agencies as we jointly engage in the war against economic saboteurs engaging in such unscrupulous businesses. We have also had situations where suspects arrested in connection with oil theft were handed over to us by sister security agencies based on the fact that the NSCDC has the power to prosecute offenders in the court of competent jurisdiction”.
Commandant Ogar hinted that the arrests of the suspects were carried out in different locations across the state. He commended the Antivandal land patrol team for the arrest of three suspects named: Amadi Goodluck (M), 25 years old; Odogwu Shedrack (M), 19 years old; and Ovunda Emmanuel (M), 20 years old. They were arrested in a black Sequoia Jeep with number plate LAGOS SMK 538 AX at Obelle-Ibaa Road in Emuoha Local Government Area of Rivers State while in conveyance of 1250 liters of crude oil concealed in cellophane bags.
In another development, one (1) suspect named Chibuike Alamezie (M), 36 years old, was also arrested while conveying about 10 kegs of automotive gas oil (AGO), each weighing 25 liters, in a black Toyota Camry car, LAGOS PZ 192 AAA, along the Trans Amadi Industrial Area in Port Harcourt.
During routine patrol, a white Mitsubishi L300 model bus with registration number RIVERS XA 522 SKN was also impounded while in conveyance of about 1,000 liters of crude oil. The suspects, however, took to their heels upon sighting our personnel.
Following a tip-off, our anti-vandalism squad also impounded a red Volkswagen car with registration number RIVERS AP 43 DBU at the Ndele axis of the East/West road in Rivers State. The vehicle was abandoned with 1,200 liters of dual-purpose kerosene (DPK) while the suspects took off for fear of being arrested.
The command helmsman further relayed that two heavy-duty Mack trucks with about 45,000 liters each laden with crude oil totaling 90,000 liters were impounded by the anti-vandal border patrol along the Kira/Sakpenwa section of the East/West road in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He affirmed that the command would not relent in her dogged fight, maintaining that prompt intelligence sharing with the security agencies, especially the NSCDC, would lead to the arrests of those perpetrating the evil act.
“Let me at this juncture say that the command under my watch is always ready to collaborate with all stakeholders, just as we have the Executive Director of the Youth Environmental and Advocacy Center, Fyneface Dumnamene, present with us today as a form of synergy in the fight against oil theft”.
“Our stand against the burning of exhibits recovered from suspects remains unchanged; the NSCDC condemns such acts; this is because the environment must be free from all activities leading to air, aquatic, and soil pollution. We are still soliciting for more cooperation from the traditional institutions, community youths, civil society organizations, and non-governmental organizations who are true advocates against environmental degradation, pollution, and health hazards generated by illegal dealings in petroleum products in Rivers State, even as I reiterate that all suspects arrested would be charged to court as we seek the forfeitures of impounded exhibits and proceeds remitted into the federal government coffer”.
