– Accuses Police of complicity in oil theft
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — A group known as NASTOGRN Volunteer Corps, says it has intercepted and handed over to the Nigeria Civil Defence Corp, trucks laden with illegally refined petroleum products in Etche, Rivers State.
The trucks, according to the group, were intercepted at Nnihi Community Junction, Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State at about 3pm on Monday.
Speaking, the National President of National Association of Surface Tank Oil and Gas Retailers of Nigeria, NASTOGRN, Engr. Onyeche Promise Obinna, accused the Police of truncating efforts of the Corps in th fight against oil theft.
Obinna recalled that the NASTOGRN Volunteer Corps were recently trained to fight against illegal refining, distribution and retailing of gas and petroleum products, bunkering and vandalism, illegal revenue collection and other forms of illegality and criminality in the oil and gas downstream sector, and to collaborate with NSCDC.
He said commended the volunteers for standing up to the challenge and proving to all that they meant business in fighting the menace of oil theft, which according to him, has crippled the nation’s economy and rendered the environment unsafe.
“The Volunteers who were recently profiled by the DSS after weeks of joint training by NSCDC swung into action and successfully intercepted trucks loaded with illegally refined product at Nnihi Community Junction, Etche LGA of Rivers State at about 3pm today.
“It is on record that the Nigeria Police Force, Okehi Police Division has on several occasions truncated efforts by the volunteers in sending backup of armed Policemen to rescue truck’s from NASTOGRN Corp, thereby firing life ammunition on the innocent volunteers who have taken it upon themselves to defend the economy of their Nation against all forms of sabotage.
“As it is often said, everyday for the thief but one day for the house owner was the case of today as the Youth Volunteers stood their ground in numbers and resisted Police intimidation.
“Better days ahead as we strategically work to do justice to our mandate. Kudos to NASTOGRN Volunteers Corps. To God be the Glory.”
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