The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has confirmed the arrest of seven people suspected of being involved in vandalism and other illegal activities in the petroleum sector in the Woji community on the outskirts of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The NSCDC has also confirmed the seizure of three boats laden with Automotive Gas Oil (commonly known as diesel) in the state. The security group has also confirmed the invitation of a senior official from the company associated with the seized barge, who has been summoned for questioning.
The operations were confirmed by the Rivers state NSCDC Commandant, Joachim Okafor while parading the arrested suspects at a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
The command disclosed that the new operations of the operatives have been strengthened by the determination to stop every form of economic sabotage, which could include crude oil theft through pipeline vandalism. He also noted that the operatives were out to stop every activity of illegal bunkering sites, and the conveyance of illegally refined products.
Okafor explained that the two persons arrested were apprehended with a considerable amount of illegally refined automotive gas oil in the state. He further explained that the suspects were apprehended while transferring the product from the barge into cellophane bags for further transport to a location that is yet unknown to the command.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the amount of crude oil spillage that has been seen at the Woji Jetty along the Slaughter area in Port Harcourt. He expressed concern with the large barge filled with illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil.
He noted that apart from the suspects arrested, another individual has been invited by the command for questioning concerning their activities with illegal crude refining in the state. He disclosed that the command was still investigating and was looking to arrest other suspects who had been pictured in the crime.
The commandant noted that five of the suspects were arrested by the command’s Marine Squad at the Tombia-Iwofe axis along the waterways. He noted that a preliminary report had shown that the suspects were arrested with three boats loaded with an unspecified quantity of AGO.
He disclosed that the current ongoing battle with the activities of illegal bunkering in the state was from the commitment to stop every form of illegal activities in the petroleum sector in the coastal regions which will help in the increase of the production of oil in the country.
He reiterated that the protection of the country’s critical assets was the core mandate of the NSCDC, explaining that the operational command will strive to restore the integrity of the state through proactive service.
He noted that the NSCDC was against all forms of environmental degradation and pollution that pose health hazards to the residents of the state. He also disclosed that the command was committed to restoring all the lost economic glory of the nation through continued operations, which will not tolerate any crude oil.
He concluded and noted that the command would conduct an intensive, thorough investigation would be conducted to identify those behind the illicit activities and that the suspects would face prosecution.
