...Destroys Illegal Refineries, Seize Equipment
Khadijat Yusuf
Abuja
The Nigerian Security And Civil Defence corp has said it has arrested two key suspects involved in crude oil theft and running of illegal refineries.
The NSCDC said, "The Commandant General's Special Intelligence Squad( CG's SIS) got a credible tip-off that some unscrupulous individuals rented an apartment around Egbede area of Onelga LGA of Rivers State and recruited some equally devilish minded youth at nearby Ebocha community and constructed cooking pots which are also known as an illegal refinery to refine crude oil they have illegally gotten after vandalizing a crude oil pipeline belonging to a multinational oil company. They planned to cook/ refine and extract AGO/ diesel) from the illegal refinery."
"But acting swiftly after getting the intelligent tip the Special Intelligence Squad swung into action and were able to apprehend two key suspects namely Joseph Peter, 43, from Delta State and Evans Okorie, 36, from Imo State at their hideouts."
The National Public Relations Officer, CSC Babawale Zaid Afolabi said among the items revealed by the suspects are; one motorcycle, eight illegal refineries( also known as cooking pots) within different locations, a welding tongue, a bottle of crude oil, a list containing names of accomplices and a multinational oil company's truck line points.
Adding that the seized illegal refineries, also known as cooking pots were destroyed, (since they could not be moved,) immediately under the supervision of well-documented video coverage while the two suspects and exhibits were in custody at NSCDC headquarters in Abuja..
Afolabi said both suspects however confess to running illegal refineries in their separate confessional statements. .
"The first suspect, Joseph Peter confessed to his deep involvement in running an illegal refinery and also mentioned Jeff and Biggi as his accomplices. Those are still at large. Evans Okorie, the other arrested suspect also mentioned his cohorts as; Nkenji, Bethel and Sylvester. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other accomplices," he added.
He restates the commitment of the NSCDC under it's commandant to end all illegal activities of oil theft as it is part of the national asset protection mandate given it.
However, The CG has ordered a quick and thorough investigation after which the suspects will be charged to court.
"In the meantime, the Commandant General, Dr.Ahmed Abubakar Audi,mni, OFR.will like to restate the commitment and resolute readiness of the Corps to end the nefarious activities of crude oil theft, illegal dealings in petroleum products, and oil pipeline vandalism."
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