NSCDC Apprehends Five Suspected Oil Thieves, Seizes Nine Vehicles Loaded With 15,000 Litres Of AGO

Operatives from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps’ (NSCDC) anti-vandalism unit, Rivers State Command, have arrested five suspects allegedly involved in illegal bunkering and impounded nine vehicles containing 15,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), also known as diesel.

During a press briefing at the Command’s headquarters in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, State Commandant Basil Igwebueze assured reporters that the command under his watch would not relent in its assault on oil bunkerers and their activities in the state.

Igwebueze emphasised that suspected oil thieves should turn a new leaf and engage in legal ventures rather than sabotaging the nation’s wealth.

The suspects were identified by the Commandant as Abdulrasheed Nuhu, 25 years old, Hussaini Ciroma, 24 years old, Shamsudeen Umar, 23 years old, Al-Amina Ismaila, 19 years old, and Ibrahim Usman, 23 years old. They were arrested on the Alesa-Eleme Okrika road in Eleme Local Government for laying galvanised pipes near the NNPC/PPMC line right of way.

The suspects were also caught with some galvanised pipes, which they would have used to tap and syphon crude oil.

Igwebueze stated that the suspects planned to launch their operation in the dead of night, according to a preliminary investigation report.
He stated, “The arrests were made in different locations across the state; noting that the five(5) suspects named: 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, 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 apprehended with some galvanised pipes intended to be connected and used to tap crude oil.
“Other arrests were made at East-West Road in Eleme LGA, Iwofe Road, Rumuelimini 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 in Port Harcourt.
“The preliminary investigation report, however, revealed that the suspects committed the act with the intention of syphoning petroleum products from the pipeline at late hours of the night.”
Igwebueze identified the impounded vehicles and their contents as follows: “a Toyota Camry Car LAGOS EJ297LSD with 1600 itres of AGO, a red Mazda Saloon Car LAGOS DN 30 APP in conveyance of 1,000 litres of AGO concealed in cellophane bags, a Toyota Sienna Car RIVERS NDN 797 GM conveying 2,500litres of AGO, and a white tricycle bus with registration number BRR 553 XA conveying 500 litres of AGO.”

“Others are a Blue Selica Saloon Car RIVERS PHC 506 HK abandoned with 1,700 litres of AGO concealed in a cellophane bag; a Blue & 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.

The vowed that the suspects would be charged in court after a thorough investigation, while the contents and mode of transportation would be forfeited and the proceeds remitted to the Proceeds of Crime Account.