NSCDC busts main bunkering operation in Rivers, arrests three
The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps mentioned its operatives busted and dismantled an enormous unlawful refinery web site and arrested three suspects within the Odagwa neighborhood, Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The safety outfit mentioned the operation which lasted for a number of hours, led to a web site within the forest the place the unlawful siphoning of crude oil was happening after the criminals destroyed the manifold of a multinational oil firm.
The NSCDC Commandant, Rivers State Command, Basil Igwebueze disclosed this whereas chatting with newsmen on the scene in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Monday.
Igwebueze, who was represented by the corps’ spokesperson within the state, SP Olufemi Ayodele, mentioned the operation was performed by the Special Intelligence Squad codenamed ‘SIS’ of the NSCDC Commandant-General, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar.
He mentioned the CG emphasised the necessity to step up the operational and intelligence mechanism within the safety of vital nationwide belongings and infrastructure throughout the nation.
He equally famous that Abubakar has an unwavering dedication in waging steady warfare towards unlawful dealings in petroleum merchandise, oil theft, vandalism of oil pipelines, and all types of financial sabotage, saying, “Within a very short period, the CG’s SIS has dismantled over 350 illegal bunkering sites in the Niger Delta area while hundreds of suspects have been arrested and prosecuted in the court of competent jurisdiction.”
He acknowledged that “today, the Commandant-General’s Special Intelligence Squad swung into action and arrested three suspects while others took to their heels, manoeuvring the forest due to the terrain.”
He narrated how a big multinational’s manifold was invaded by way of a damaged fence, and enormous industrial hoses have been used to siphon crude oil and transmitted by way of quite a few metallic galvanised pipes to cooking pots and additional saved in reservoirs for onward loading to would-be consumers. The huge unlawful bunkering web site was dismantled
“Having walked by way of this thick forest, you may have virtually seen how the manifold and oil wellhead was vandalised by unscrupulous components.
“They tapped into the source and buried the hoses and pipes underground, waiting for the multinationals to pump the crude. Immediately the pumping starts, they commence their nefarious operations through illegal local refining of crude to derive Automotive Gas Oil, DPK, and other products,” the state commandant mentioned.
While answering questions on the explanation for the continual rebuilding of some unlawful bunkering websites after being dismantled by safety businesses, he mentioned that the struggle towards unlawful bunkering is a strategic warfare that should be fought with a collective will and consciousness, particularly with the truth that such acts trigger environmental degradation, pollination, and well being hazard.
“To eradicate black soot, the locals and all stakeholders should come to phrases to say no to the operation of unlawful native refineries and different actions which trigger extra hurt to the individuals and the atmosphere as properly.
“On this observe, I want to reiterate the phrases of the NSCDC boss that the struggle towards oil theft, vandalism, and unlawful dealings in petroleum merchandise is non-negotiable because the NSCDC is totally dedicated to its statutory mandate of safeguarding all vital nationwide belongings and infrastructure.
“We will do this relentlessly and without compromise,” Igwebueze added.
