THE Rivers State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) said it has uncovered a new method adopted by crude oil thieves to transport illegally refined petroleum products to neighbouring states.
NSCDC Commandant in Rivers State, Joachim Okafor while addressing journalists at the Command Head Office in Port Harcourt, revealed that oil thieves now convey illegal petroleum products with Sport Utility Vehicles, SUVs to beat the vigilant eyes of men of the Corps.
He said men of the Command’s Anti-Vandal Unit on patrol intercepted three SUVs laden with unquantified adulterated gasoline oil, AGO popularly known as diesel in two border Local Government Areas of the State.
Commandant Okafor explained that “the NSCDC Rivers State command’s anti-vandal unit was on patrol at Etche borders in Etche local government area of the Rivers on sighting the patrol team, suspected illegal oil bunkers abandoned a Toyota Sequoia Jeep fully loaded with AGO popularly called Kpofire Diesel, and escaped into a nearby bush.
“The anti-vandal team also experienced a similar incident at Umungu community in Omuma local government area of the state when some suspected oil thieves took to their heels as they saw the men of NSCDC on patrol, for fear of arrest, they quickly jumped out of the two Sequoia Jeeps they were using to convene the adulterated products and ran into a close-by forest.”
The NSCDC boss noted that the suspects who are on the run will soon be apprehended, adding that the seized vehicles and the petroleum product will be forfeited to the Federal Government.
He assured that with the collaborative efforts of citizens, the Command will not relent in securing critical national assets including pipelines against vandals and crude oil thieves who he noted are enemies of the Country.
The NSCDC Rivers State commandant therefore warned oil thieves to delve into meaningful ventures, emphasizing that the command will not spare any one arrested.
