*Arrests eight in Akwa Ibom
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has paraded 15 people, suspected to be involved in various forms of crude oil theft in Rivers State.
State Commandant of NSCDC, Mohammed Haruna, said among the 15 suspects is one Amaobi Allen, a notorious vandal who vandalised an oil well-head belonging to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC.
Represented by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Akin Oguntuase, said the suspected wellhead vandal was arrested in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
According to him, “Among the vandals is Amaobi Allen, a notorious vandal, known for vandalising the Nigerian Agip Oil Company wellhead.
“He was arrested within 24 hours of an order issued by the state Commandant, after vandalizing the wellhead belonging to Agip in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area of Rivers State.”
Similarly, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Akwa Ibom State command have arrested eight suspects, impounded five trucks and 142,000 litres of illegally siphoned petroleum products.
The State Commandant of the corps, Mr. Adeyinka Ayinla, said the suspects were arrested in two different locations in the state during a routine patrol by operatives of the command.
Ayinla also disclosed that the Corps was also monitoring unlicensed petrol stations, and would partner with other sister security agencies to eliminate the circulation of adulterated petroleum products in the state.
“NSCDC in the last three to four weeks has seized 142,000 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products. I want the people of Akwa Ibom State and particularly criminals to desist from this act of economic sabotage.
“Some of arrested eight suspects have been charged to court while others are still under investigation and will be charged to court when the investigation is completed,” Ayinla said.