21 June 2013, Akure – Men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Ondo State have arrested seven persons suspected to be operators of an illegal refinery and petroleum depot.
Commandant of the NSCDC in the state, Waheed Bamidele Popoola who revealed this, yesterday, in Akure said the suspects were picked up at Iju Osun, Ore, Oniparaga and Onitea area of the state.
He said three tankers marked EKY 699 XH, XA 995 KMR and JJJ450 XA were recovered from the suspects.
The commandant added that the suspects were currently in prison custody.
According to him the incident has been reported to Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, while the illegal depot and refinery have been destroyed
Popoola added that no fewer than ten vehicle loaded with adulterated fuel were also recovered from the suspects.
He said that the suspects were arrested following a tip- off.
The Commandant said that his men recently discovered at Oniparaga along Lagos Ore road some wells where fuel was been drawn like drawing water from well.
Popoola added that surveillance of all notorious areas in the state mostly revirine areas has been beefed up
The commandant wondered why some people keep engaging in this illegal business.
According to him “Depite the arrest and prosecution after the repair and seal up of the spot, they still go back there in canoe”
– Vanguard
