The Rivers State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC, said it has arrested thirty seven suspected oil thieves in connection with illegal refining of petroleum products in different parts of the State.
The Commandant, NSCDC, Rivers State Command, Muktar Lawal while briefing newsmen at the command headquarters said eight among the arrested suspects were fake naval officers arrested by operatives of the Nigerian Navy while on illegal escort duty.
I
“On the 9th of April, 2021, the NNS Pathfinder Naval Base, Rumuolumeni Port Harcourt handed over eight suspects to the command arrested for alleged Navy imposters and illegal escort duties onboard a security boat MV SANDUST”.
Lawal noted that the Command also impounded thirteen trucks and six other vehicles used for operation and conveying the stolen and illegally refined products by the oil thieves.
The Commandant, while parading the suspects and the impounded trucks in Port Harcourt Friday said the latest arrests were made between 15th March and 12th April this year.
He said 18 drums containing suspected Automated Gas Oil (AGO), concealed in a waterproof bag and conveyed inside the trucks and vehicles were also impounded.
His words, “Today the command is parading thirty seven suspected oil thieves, thirteen trucks, eighteen drums containing suspected adulterated stolen petroleum products, one bus, five cars, one pumping machine, thirty seven pieces of suspected vandalized railway clips and four suspected railway slippers, a cylinder and a torchlight suspected to be used for act of vandalism.
“In the bid to discourage the floating of illegal dumps in the residential areas in the state, the command also destroyed two suspected illegal dumps”.
He said the arrested suspects were currently being investigated for possible prosecution.
He restated the Corp’s commitment to protecting the nation’s critical assets and infrastructure.
“The fight against vandalism along the rail tracks and all oil installations in Rivers State is still ongoing and will not stop until vandals stay off the critical national assets and infrastructure in the state”.
The Commandant also used the medium to express the Corp’s preparedness to partner with other sister security agencies to ensure maintenance of law and order in Saturday’s local government elections.
He said the command has deployed 2,500 officers to different parts of the state for the election.
“I wish to inform the general public of the command’s readiness to ensure a free and fair electioneering process in the state come Saturday the 17th April, 2021.
I
