The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (SIS) has arrested four individuals linked to illegal petroleum product dealings in the oil-rich regions of the country.
The suspects were apprehended in Abia State for their involvement in crude oil theft, vandalism, and economic sabotage.
A statement from Babawale Afolabi, NSCDC’s National Public Relations Officer, confirmed the arrests, which were made following extensive intelligence gathering.
According to him, the operation took place at Agric Waterside Camp Umuorie, within the Obuzor/Asa axis of Ukwa West Local Government Area, Abia State.
Appolos Dandaura, head of the CG’s SIS, revealed in an interview with Corps correspondents that the operation was part of a broader effort to clamp down on illegal local refining activities.
He stated that SIS operatives were deployed to thoroughly comb the area, where they discovered ongoing illegal petroleum refining operations.
“Upon reaching the location, the squad apprehended four suspects who were allegedly involved in siphoning crude oil from damaged pipelines.
“Preliminary interviews with the suspects revealed that they had been vandalizing pipelines, connecting hoses and galvanized pipes, which were buried underground and rerouted to their makeshift storage tanks and refining facilities.
“After the suspects were apprehended, they admitted to connecting these pipes to illegally refined reservoirs, which included drums and storage tanks for adulterated diesel and kerosene,” Dandaura noted.
The suspects have been identified as Friday Akpan Ability (26), Ifeanyi Possible Ojike (36), Ernest Odoli Onah (30), and Happy Nnamdi (23).
He noted that several items were recovered from the crime scene, including large quantities of stolen crude oil concealed in cellophane bags, over 20,000 liters of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), as well as various equipment such as galvanized pipes, metal and plastic buckets, shovels, and funnels.
Dandaura further emphasized that the arrested suspects would undergo thorough investigation before being charged in court.
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