ECONOMIC SABOTAGE: POLICE BUSTS ILLEGAL PETROLEUM REFINING SITE, ARRESTS 2 SUSPECTS, RECOVERS TRUCKS
The Nigeria Police operatives attached to the IGP Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering (IGP-STFPIB) in the late hours of August 7, 2022, successfully busted an illegal petroleum refining operation in Edo State. This follows the interception of intelligence on the activities of an alleged illicit petroleum products refining syndicate operating adjacent to Agbor Junction, Benin City, Edo State, via a whistle blower through the recently created Nigeria National Petroleum Company’s (NNPC) Command and Control Centre Portal.
In a press statement e-signed and released through the force Public Relations Officer, CSP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, and sad, it was discovered that three (3) empty DAF trucks and thirty-one (31) immobile surface tanks—7 of which were loaded with an unspecified quantity of petroleum products—were discovered by the police. Additionally, two suspects, Chinedu Iyanabor, aged 18 and Sunday Iyagbesun, aged 52, were arrested during the raid.
Preliminary investigations reveal the site was also used as a dumpsite for petroleum products. The Inspector-General of Police has tasked special enforcement units with the prevention of economic saboteurs’ activities in order to ensure the deployment of necessary manpower and other operational assets to ensure a total clampdown on criminal activities that are detrimental to the nation’s economic growth.
The IGP has similarly supervised the strengthening of the unit with a charge to intensify efforts, in conjunction with local police officers, to sustain police approved operational standards in tackling economic sabotage, crimes and criminality in the country. He equally charged the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Unit to embark on strict supervision of the Unit in compliance with the directives.
All suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations. He said.
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