With renewed vigour and relentless determination in the fight against crude oil theft and protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) across the nation, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Commandant General’s (CG) Special Intelligence Squad (SIS) has dismantled several illegal local refining sites in a forest at Umelechi Ukwa West in Abia State and arrested 14 suspects.
Relaying the ordeal of arresting the 14 suspects in connection with the alleged crime, the CG’s SIS Commander, Deputy Commandant Appolos Dandaura, hinted that the success of the sting operation was hinged on sustained and credible intelligence, which revealed that economic saboteurs were carrying out illegal bunkering activities inside a very thick forest at Umelechi/Obiapu communities in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.
“Our operatives were strategically positioned. While large quantities of already siphoned crude oil were loaded inside locally fabricated cooking ovens in readiness for refining into Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), some had been refined into dual-purpose kerosene (DPK) and stored in GP tanks, cellophane bags and many sacks.
“The squad also sighted and marked the following as exhibits: Kemade KM8500E2 Power Generating Set, FIRMAN FPG8800E2, ROBIN EY20 pumping machine, IN4000, three new rolls of hoses, galvanised metal pipes, shovels, head flashlights, several cellophane bags, four bags of cement, [a] hammer, clothing and shoes.
“Let me assure the public that a thorough investigation would be carried out to ascertain the level of involvement of the following suspects: Chimaza Okwudilli (m) 35 years, Nwachi Anthony (m) 24 years, Solomon Ikechi (m) 24 years, Cletus Michael (m) 27 years, Kator Mbatsavmpuur (m) 21 years, Emmanuel Abbia (m) 19 years, Benson Vitalis (m) 18 years, Tamarakru Diebeketeme (m) 53 years, Esther Chukwu (f) 25 years, Mary Barnabas (f) 45 years, Lydia Newton (f) 46 years, Ngozi Nwagnara (f) 48 years, Ann Agu (f) 33 years and Ahmed Usman (m) 45 years.
“The 14 suspects would be prosecuted in a court of competent jurisdiction. Our determination to wage relentless war against illegal dealings in petroleum products remains unwavering, as the NSCDC is committed to safeguarding all critical infrastructure and [the] prosecution of oil thieves and their sponsors who vowed not to repent from such unscrupulous acts,” NSCDC said. (Sun)