By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it has arrested 19 suspects over their alleged involvement in oil theft and illegal dealings in petroleum products.
According to reports, Nigeria loses about 400,000 barrels of crude oil to theft daily, which amounts to about $40 million. This does not contribute to Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP) and also doesn’t generate any revenue for the nation.
The Rivers State Commandant of NSCDC, Mr Michael Ogar, who decried the defiance of oil thieves and illegal oil bunkerers, noted that in spite of the continuous sensitisation and relentless war against economic sabotage in the nation, oil thieves have blatantly refused to turn a new leaf.
Mr Ogar maintained that sequel to the reconstitution of a new Antivandal Team of the Command, the Marine and land Patrol operatives have commenced full operations with a renewed vigour, professionalism and tactics in waging war against the menace of vandalism of oil pipelines and oil theft in Rivers State.
He stated that the 19 suspects were arrested in different locations within the state, assuring that they will all be charged to court, while the Command would do everything possible to unravel, chase and apprehend their sponsors to serve as deterrents to others.
“As directed by the NSCDC Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, a marching order was given to the marine and land operatives to massively arrest pipeline vandals and illegal oil dealers in the state and this has enhanced our doggedness in the series of arrests made by the command.
“The Marine and land Patrol team arrested 19 suspects at different locations in the State; four Suspects named: Peter Udo ‘M’ 20years, Benjamin God’s power ‘M’ 16years, God’s gift Nicholas ‘M’ 19years and Goodness Sunday ‘M’ aged 19year were arrested with one wooden boat and a 40 HP outboard engine along Bakana River.
“In addition, three suspects named: Jacob Fewu ‘M’ 23years, George George ‘M’ 20years and Stanley Bruce ‘M’ 20years were arrested with one wooden boat laden with 10,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, a 40 HP outboard engine used for propelling the boat.
“The Marine team, in an all-night tactical operation, arrested two additional suspects named: Ade Monday, 27 years and Abiola Gift, 29 years, with one wooden boat, 25 drums of illegal refined AGO and one 15 HP outboard engine.
“Following a tip-off, the antivandal unit also uncovered a building used as a dump site for storing locally refined AGO along Cornerstone junction in Ogbogoro, Obio Akpo Local Government Area. We discovered an underground Tanker containing unquantified litres of locally refined AGO, a Plastic Tank containing about 3,500 litres of AGO and a Pumping Machine. The entire compound is now under seal and manned by our personnel while the Command would continue to chase the culprits till they are arrested and prosecuted accordingly.
The NSCDC boss in Rivers State further said that the Command would approach the court with an application for forfeitures of both the contents and the vehicles, and the proceeds would be remitted into the federal government coffers.
”Let me reiterate our commitment to the war against oil theft and illegal dealings in petroleum products in Rivers State. The perpetrators should either relocate or risk facing the full wrath of the law,” he stated.
Oil theft in Nigeria has continued to grow, despite governments’ efforts to clamp down on illegal activities.
Modupe Gbadeyanka