Michael Olugbode in Abuja
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has dismantled the activities of oil thieves in Ukwa East Local Government Area in Abia State.
A statement yesterday by the spokesman of the paramilitary outfit, Babawale Afolabi said that a large local ‘pour-put’ boat for conveying locally refined petroleum products, a loading point and diesel amounting to 9000 litres were discovered at Inhandu Community of Ukwa East Local Government Area of the state.
“In its determination to salvage the nation from economic saboteurs the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad has dismantled an illegal oil bunkering site.
“ A large local pour-put boat for conveying locally refined petroleum products, a loading point and Automotive Gas Oil amounting to 9,000 litres at Inhandu Community of Ukwa East Local Government Area in Abia State.
“During an interview with the CG’s SIS arresting officer, we deduced that the squad through credible intelligence got wind of oil bunkering activities taking place at Inhandu/Ikwariator Riverside; Ukwa East LGA where an uninterrupted loading and conveyance of AGO concealed in cellophane bags were ongoing.
“The team swung into action without wasting time and was able to uncover a bunkering site where local refining of petroleum products had been carried out for a long time; about two large wooden pour-put boats were seen at the river bank, some cellophane bags were loaded in fibre boats but at the mere sighting of our operatives, the perpetrators took to their heels.
“While touring across the site, some bags of AGO were also packed in an uncompleted building while some were loaded inside 3 different Vehicles ready for supply,” he said.
He disclosed that some of the exhibits recovered at the crime scene were:Two Fibre boats with 40 Horse Power Yamaha Engines, two empty J5 Buses and one Sequoia Jeep about to be loaded, two large wooden boats still under construction and some quantities of AGO concealed in cellophane bags.
He noted: “The Intelligence and Investigation department has commenced detailed work to unravel the perpetrators and beneficiaries while an application for forfeiture of products and mode of conveyance would be sought at the law court at the expiration of our investigation.”
He however appealed to the public to cooperate with the NSCDC in the fight against crude oil theft to rid the nation’s economy off the hands of saboteurs.
