The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Rivers State, has arrested 7 Suspects for illegal dealings in petroleum products, and impounded a barge and 3 Boats laden with Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
State Commandant of the NSCDC, Joachin Okafor fcai, disclosed this in a chat with journalists on Wednesday.
He stated that 2 suspects were arrested alongside the badge containing an unqualified illegally refined automotive gas oil.
According to him, the 2 suspects were caught scooping the product from the barge and loading them in cellophane bags for onwards conveyance to yet to be identified destination.
He also revealed that the command further paraded another 5 suspects who were arrested by the Marine Squad of the command.
The new commandant said, he has come to the state to wage war against economic saboteurs syphoning crude oil through vandalism of pipelines, operation of illegal bunkering sites, conveyance of illegally refined products amongst others.
“Our continuous war against Crude oil theft is motivated by our resolve and commitment to combat illegal bunkering activities in the coastal areas thereby increasing the production of oil in the nation. Safeguarding critical assets and Infrastructure is our core mandate and as an Operational Commandant my administration will restore sanctity in the State, the Corps is against all acts of environmental degradation and pollution leading to health hazards; the glory of our economy will certainly be restored because it will not be business as usual for those stealing the nation’s crude oil,” he said.
“…a thorough investigation would be made to unravel those behind the unscrupulous acts; the suspects would definitely have their time in the Court of competent jurisdiction,” Okafor added.
