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By Mandy Tina
The operatives of the Anti-Vandal Unit, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Rivers State Command have arrested five suspects for their alleged involvement in illegal dealings in petroleum products.
Briefing newsmen at the command’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, the state commandant, Basil Igwebueze, said that the command under his watch will continue to fight relentlessly the activities of illegal oil bunkerers in the state.
Igwebueze said it is high time the perpetrators turned a new leaf by engaging in legal ventures, instead of continuous involvement in sabotaging the nation’s economy.
The commandant disclosed that the arrests were made in different locations across the state, noting that the five suspects,were arrested at Alesa-Eleme Okrika road, Eleme Local Government Area for laying galvanized pipes close to NNPC/PPMC line/right of way.
The suspects were named as: Abdulrasheed Nuhu (m), 25 years; Hussaini Ciroma (m), 24 years; Shamsudeen Umar (m), 23 years; Al-Amina Ismaila (m), 19 years and Ibrahim Usman (m), 23 years.
Igwebueze said, “The suspects were caught with some galvanized pipes to be connected and used for tapping crude oil.
“Preliminary investigation report however revealed that the suspects carried out the act with the intention of siphoning petroleum products from the pipeline at late hours of the night.
“Other arrests were made at East-West road in Eleme LGA, Iwofe road, Rumuolumeni in Obio/Akpor LGA, Station Road, Water Font in Elelenwo Community, Okehi Town in Etche LGA, Location Flyover Mgbuoba Community, New Road off Ada George and Eagle Island Jetty Port Harcourt.
“The following vehicles were impounded: Toyota Camry Car Lagos EJ297LSD, with 1600 litres of AGO, a red Mazda Saloon Car Lagos DN 30 APP in conveyance of 1,000 litres of AGO concealed in cellophane bags, Toyota Sienna car Rivers NDN 797 GM conveying 2,500 litres of AGO, a white tricycle bus with registration number BRR 553 XA conveying 500 litres of AGO, a blue Selica saloon car, Rivers PHC 506 HK, abandoned with 1,700 litres of AGO concealed in a cellophane bag.
“A blue and white coloured Volkswagen saloon car, Rivers PHC KNM 111 XA, with 1,200 litres of AGO, a black Nissan Pathfinder Jeep, Rivers PHC 853 KK, with 3,000 litres of AGO, a dark grey Volkswagen car, Rivers PBT 531 SY, with 1,000 litres of AGO and a green colour Toyota Camry, Abuja ABJ 611 JN laden with 2,500 litres of AGO”.
He however noted that the suspects would be charged to court at the end of investigations, while the contents and the mode of conveyance would be forfeited and proceeds remitted to Proceeds Of Crime Account (POCA).
Basil Igwebueze, commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Rivers State Command
