NSCDC arrests three for alleged crude oil theft in Rivers

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad has arrested three suspects for vandalism of an oil pipeline and oil theft in Umuodo, Umuajuloke Community, Omuma Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, in a statement on Monday, disclosed that the CG’s SIS Commander DC Apollo Dandaura revealed the recovery of numerous drum ovens with processed stolen crude oil, industrial hoses used for siphoning, and large quantities of crude oil stored in cellophane bags and kegs.

The statement read in part “The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad has arrested three suspects for vandalism of oil pipeline, oil theft and illegal dealings in petroleum products at Umuodo, Umuajuloke Community in Omuma Local Government Area of Rivers State.

“While briefing the corps correspondents, the CG’s SIS Commander, DC Apollo Dandaura relayed that the arrest was made possible through sustained intelligence that an illegal oil refinery was cited at the crime scene whereupon swinging into action, a large quantity of illegally refined petroleum products suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil was discovered.

“Based on credible intelligence, we swung into action and arrested three suspects at the crime scene with large quantities of illegally refined AGO already stored inside metallic drums while others were inside cellophane bags.”

He stated that after a thorough investigation, those found guilty would face trial in court.

It continued, “The names of the arrested suspects are Happiness Nwankwo (F) 45 years, who claimed to be an indigene of Omuma in Rivers State; Nneoma Nwankwo (F) 30 years also from Rivers State and Favour Amadi (F) from Omuma in the same Rivers State.

“Some exhibits recovered at the point of arrest are numerous drum ovens containing stolen and syphoned crude oil undergoing processing, industrial hoses used to tap into well-heads to syphon crude oil, large quantities of stolen crude oil stored inside cellophane bags and kegs, many metal and plastic buckets, wheelbarrows, shovels and galvanised metal pipes.

“The CG SIS Commander hinted that investigations have commenced to unravel the involvement of the three suspects and who their sponsors are.

“He noted that at the expiration of a thorough investigation, whoever is found culpable will have their time in court.”