Mkpoikana Udoma
15 November 2018, Sweetcrude, Lagos — The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp, NSCDC, has said it impounded four trucks, three barges and arrested eight suspected oil thieves within three weeks, in its determination to tackle oil theft and vandalism of critical assets in the country.
Rivers State Commandant of NSCDC, Mohammed Haruna, while briefing newsmen in Port Harcourt, after parading the suspects, said two speedboats and eight vehicles were also impounded.
Haruna, explained that the impounded trucks contained suspected illegally refined diesel and unquantified crude oil, adding that (he arrested suspects are currently facing trials and would be charged to court at the close of investigation.
He also warned youths engaged in illegal bunkering activities to desist forthwith, but instead get involved on government’s empowerment scheme such as Npower, amongst other legitimate ventures.
According to him, “Having determined to tackle the problem of vandalism of the critical assets of the nation, the NSCDC in Rivers State parades three barges, four trucks, two speedboats, two vehicles and eight suspected oil thieves arrested in Port Harcourt.
“On 26th October 2018, three barges were apprehended at Alakiri in collaboration with Operation Delta Safe”.
He added: “In the same vein, the following four trucks were apprehended along Abuloma waterside; two trucks with registration number DAF480XF and SBG638XA loaded with unquantified litres of crude oil, two empty Conoil trucks with registration number XD592GWL and KMC408ZQ.
“On 31st October 2018, four suspects with two speed boats with engine capacity of 85HP and 40HP were arrested at Bodo Owokiri river and Bolo river.
“On 1st November 2018 two suspects were also arrested at an illegal refining site in Bodo West through joint operations led by a team of the anti vandal personnel of NSCDC, rs command.”
“Similarly, on 7th November 2018 the anti vandal team of NSCDC also arrested two more suspects with a Toyota Camry with registration number KJA729DU and a Toyota Karina E with registration number JL781KJA loaded with suspected illegally refined AGO in Eteo, Eleme LGA. ”