NSCDC presents five suspects, vows to smoke out oil thieves from their hideout

There is no room for illicit oil bunkering activities in the State of Rivers, according to Commandant Michael Besong Ogar, the commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, who would smoke offenders out of their hiding places.

With the reorganization of a new Antivandal Team, there have been notable victories in the unrelenting fight against oil pipeline vandalism and illegal dealings in petroleum products, as evidenced by the numerous arrests and subsequent cases being brought before courts with the necessary jurisdiction.
The Commandant noted that the Commandant General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi had promised that in a short while there would be a drastic reduction and possibly eradication of illegal dealings in petroleum products throughout the country as the Corps’ newly formed Marine and Land operatives are now taking the Anti-vandalism war to the enemies Camp by reducing the number of targets for vandalism.
“Our major task is to clamp down on the conspiracy theory and massively arrest oil pipelines Vandals and sponsors as we take the Anti-vandalism war to the enemies’ domain; the nation is losing millions of dollars per barrel due to the increase in Pipelines vandalism and illegal dealings in petroleum products, but I can assure you that this menace would be a thing of the past because we are fully committed to the mandate of the Corps’ in Safeguarding all Critical National Assets and Infrastructures.

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“Barely few days after arresting and parading 19 suspects here at the Command Headquarters; based on credible Intelligence, the Antivandal land Patrol team has also arrested five suspects for illegal dealings in petroleum products. The suspects are charged for contravening the Anti-sabotage Act, the Petroleum Act and the Miscellaneous offences act 2004, laws of the Federation.
They are: Ifegbu Uche ‘M’ aged 42years, Obinna Ogbonna ‘M’ 42years, Emmanuel Smart ‘M’ 19 years, Lawrence Gibson ‘M’ 35years and Emeka Desmond ‘M’ 35years who were arrested while in conveyance of a total estimate of 24,000 litres of locally/illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) loaded in cellophane, concealed in Sack bags and carefully packed in an Ash Colour Toyota Sequoia V8 Jeep- ABUJA GWA 386 GVA, a Light Colour Volkswagen Bus with Registration Number: LAGOS APP 831 XX which was intercepted at Abuloma community in Port Harcourt, a short white Truck DA 1700 Truck with number plate KADUNA XE 653 KA impounded at Abonnema Wharf, and a white Ford E- 250 intercepted at Etche/Okehi road in Etche Local Government Area respectfully.
“We are extremely happy that the Court has started session because the suspects will undoubtedly get their day in court while applications for forfeitures of the goods and means of transportation will be made and proceeds will be transferred to the coffers of the Federal Government.”