Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — In a major crackdown on oil theft, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has uncovered and dislodged an illegal bunkering operation in cemeteries in Abalama and Oporoama communities, Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
According to the Public Relations Officer of NSCDC, Rivers State Command, Mr Olufemi Ayodele, the operation was carried out by the Marine Anti-vandal Squad following a tip-off and sustained intelligence gathering.
Ayodele explained that the squad seized several boats filled with crude oil and refined Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, at the illegal bunkering site, which was operating in the cemeteries.
He stated that the operation follows a directive by the NSCDC Commandant General, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, to intensify intelligence and operational efficiency in the Niger Delta region.
Ayodele said the suspects fled the scene upon arrival of the NSCDC team, and reiterated the commitment of the Rivers State NSCDC Commandant, Basil Igwebueze, in the fight against oil theft, while urging communities to cooperate with the agency to tackle the menace.
He said, “Recall that the NSCDC Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi gave a marching order to all formations in the Niger Delta to step up their operational efficiency; acting on this directive the Rivers State Commandant Basil Igwebueze deployed the Marine Anti-vandal Squad to the crime scene where several boats filled with crude oil and illegally refined AGO were sighted.
“At Abalama community and Oporoama community where cemeteries were converted to illegal bunkering sites; upon our arrival, the suspects took to their heels knowing the Squad had superior fire power.
“The NSCDC as an environmental friendly agency outrightly condemn all acts of environmental pollution, degradation of the aquatic life and economic sabotage.
“We have contacted some good people in the two communities and they are cooperating with us so that the perpetrators would be apprehended in due course. However, the quantities in litres of the locally refined AGO cannot be ascertained.
“Consequently, the Rivers State Command has further issued a stern warning against the activities of vandals and illegal bunkerers in the State affirming that the fight against Oil theft is a relentless war and suspects arrested with their sponsors would be made to face the full wrath of the law.”
