Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Rivers State Command has arrested 14 suspects over 103,800 litres of Automotive Gasoline Oil, AGO, more popularly known as diesel, in various local government areas in the state.
Parading the suspects, the Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, Rivers State Command, DSC Olufemi Ayodele, said the arrests followed the order by the State Commandant, Abu Tambuwal, who on his assumption of duty, declared that the war against illegal bunkering was non-negotiable.
Ayodele noted that the Command is currently under a new leader with zero tolerance for all anti-government activities, most especially vandalism of oil pipelines and illegal dealings in petroleum product.
While reaffirming the Command’s continuous synergy with relevant sister agencies, the PRO hinted that the suspects would be charged to court at the after thorough investigation of their cases.
He said: “The NSCDC Rivers State Command in her renewed vigour to eradicate the menace of oil pipeline vandalism and other offences in connection with illegal dealings in petroleum products has arrested and hereby parading these 14 Suspects
“They are Chinoso Anowo, male, 35 years; Babagana Umaru (M) 40 years, Victor Emeama (M) 49 years, Ifeanyi Chinaka (M) 42 years, Ndubisi Nwoji (M) 41 years and Echefulachi Okoro (M) 33 years and others for illegal dealings in petroleum products and transportation of petroleum products without haulage licences being offences punishable under the Miscellaneous offences Act, law of the Federation 2004.
“The first suspect was arrested at Ada George, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area with 18,000 litres capacity, white MAN Diesel truck (with plate number) Rivers MHA 435 XZ, but, a part of the content had been discharged before been apprehended by our operatives.
“The second suspect was arrested at Abua Junction, Ahoada East Local Government with a Truck NGL 141 XA in conveyance of 45,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO, popularly called diesel. From his confessional statement, the truck was loaded at a dump in Ekporoho community in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“Another truck, KADUNA MKA 701 ZF conveying 40,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO was also Impounded along Airport road. Four suspects were further arrested along a truck with number plate Ebonyi ZLL A3 XY in conveyance of products used for construction of illegal refineries.
“Oluchukwu Nwachukwu (M) 33years, Uche Nwankwo (M) 29years, Chiwendu Onwenyisi (M) 31 years were also arrested with four Cars conveying about four drums of suspected illegally refined AGO concealed in cellophane bags equivalent to 800 litres, they were all impounded at Airport round about in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
“In addition Isaac Helliday (M) 39years, Joseph Tambufo 50years, Wisdom Batubo (M) 35years and Felix Friday 32years were arrested with two wooden boats loaded with suspected illegally refined AGO on waterways along Bakana River and Abonima wharf respectively.”
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