Illegal Refineries : Rivers NSCDC Parades Suspects, Impounds Vehicles

The Anti-Vandal Unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Rivers State Command has arrested five suspects for their alleged involvement in illegal petroleum products.
Briefing newsmen at the Command Headquarters in Port Harcourt, the State Commandant, Basil Igwebueze hinted that the command under his watch will continue to fight relentlessly the activities of illegal oil bunkerers in the State.
He relayed that it is high time the perpetrators turned a new leaf by engaging in legal ventures instead of engaging in sabotaging the nation’s economy.
Igwebueze said the arrests were made in different locations across the State, noting that the five suspects named: Abdulrasheed Nuhu a male, 25years; Hussaini Ciroma, a male, 24years; Shamsudeen Umar, a male, 23years; Al-Amina Ismaila(M), 19years; Ibrahim Usman, male and 23years, were arrested at Alesa-Eleme-Okrika road, Eleme Local Government for laying galvanised pipes close to NNPC/PPMC line/right of way. The suspects were caught with some galvanised 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.
The State Commandant said 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.
Consequently, some vehicles were impounded that include Toyota Camry Car Lagos EJ297LSD with 1600 litres of AGO,and a red Mazda Saloon Car Lagos DN 30 APP while conveying 1,000 litres of AGO concealed in cellophane bags.
Also, a Toyota Sienna car with registration number Rivers NDN 797 GM conveying 2,500litres of AGO, together with a white tricycle bus with registration number BRR 553 XA conveying 500litres of AGO, together with a blue selica saloon car Rivers PHC 506 HK abandoned with 1,700 litres of AGO concealed in a cellophane bag.
Another 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 were all impounded same time.
The Command helmsman said that the suspects would be charged to court at the end of a thorough investigation while the contents and the mode of conveyance would be forfeited and proceeds remitted to Proceeds Of Crime Account (POCA).