Operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have arrested suspects and uncovered ten illegal oil bunkering sites in a forest within Odagwa community, Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Southsouth Nigeria.
Superintendent Olufemi Ayodele, the NSCDC Rivers State spokesperson, informed journalists at the illegal oil sites in Odagwa that the successful discovery was based on credible intelligence.
He said over 10 illegal refineries were found, containing an estimated 500,000 litres of crude oil in about 50 illegally constructed reservoirs.
Ayodele assured that the NSCDC would persist in combating crude oil theft, illegal mining, and illegal petroleum product dealings nationwide.
He reiterated the directive from the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Audi, to vigorously fight all forms of economic sabotage, emphasising that arrested suspects would face legal consequences regardless of their sponsors.
The arrested suspects were identified as Favour Chukwu (29), Desmond Umeh (25), Godwin Amos (22), Bineace Galion (38), and Goodnews David (23). They were handed over to the Rivers State Command for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Meanwhile, NSCDC Rivers State Commandant Basil Igwebueze condemned the unrepentant act of individuals who tapped into the Oil Well Head of Heirs Energies and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) located around Imo River 2 Oil and Gas field at Odagwa in Etche.
Igwebueze expressed gratitude for the commissioning of the Special Intelligence Squad, which has been tirelessly combating illegal dealings in petroleum products, crude oil theft, and vandalism of railway lines across the federation.
He affirmed that thorough investigation had begun to identify those behind the scenes, emphasising that all suspects involved in vandalism and crude oil theft would be prosecuted, and their sponsors or cartels would be pursued and brought to justice without compromise.
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