The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) announced on Wednesday that 13 individuals were detained for allegedly stealing crude oil in Abia.
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A statement from NSCDC Spokesperson Babawale Afolabi in Abuja indicated that the suspects ran an illegal refinery in a forest at Umelehi, Ukwa West Local Government Area of the state.
Afolabi mentioned that following the arrest of the nine male and four female suspects by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CGsSIS), the illegal site was dismantled.
He stated that the Commander of the Squad, Apollo Dandaura, credited the successful arrests to the reliable intelligence provided to the corps by well-meaning Nigerians.
“Our operatives were strategically positioned due to the quantity of already siphoned crude oil which were loaded in locally fabricated cooking ovens for refining into Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
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“Some had been refined into Kerosene and AGO with both stored in GP tanks, cellophane bags and many sacks,” he stated.
The spokesperson promised that a comprehensive investigation would be conducted to determine the extent of the suspects’ involvement.
Afolabi reported that among the recovered items were generator sets, pumps, hoses, galvanized metal pipes, shovels, head torches, cellophane bags, and bags of cement, among other items.
He emphasized the NSCDC’s dedication to protecting all vital national assets. The NSCDC spokesperson affirmed that the corps would pursue legal action against the oil thieves and those backing them.
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