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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has announced the arrest of seven suspects involved in the illegal trading of petroleum products in Woji, on the outskirts of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The Corps also reported that a barge and three boats laden with automotive gas oil (commonly known as diesel) were seized. In addition, a senior official of the company associated with the seized barge has been summoned for questioning.
Inquiry.
The state NSCDC Commandant, Joachim Okafor, made this known while presenting the suspects to the press at the scene of crime in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Okafor said the Corps was operating with renewed vigour and determination to tackle economic sabotage, including theft of crude oil through pipeline sabotage, illegal bunkering sites and illegal transportation of refined products.
The commandant said two suspects were arrested with a vessel loaded with a large quantity of illegally refined automotive gas oil.
According to him, the suspects were caught while transporting the product from the ship in cellophane bags to an unknown location.
Okafor remarked, “We are at the Woji Jetty along the Slaughter Area in Port Harcourt. It is very worrisome to see such a huge ship laden with illegally refined automotive gas oil.
“To date, we have arrested two suspects and summoned the director of the company where the barge is registered for questioning. We are also actively pursuing the arrest of the perpetrators and their sponsors.”
He said the remaining five suspects were arrested by the Marine squad of the command along the waterways along Tombia-Iwofe axis.
Okafor said: “Initial reports indicate that they were found with three boats loaded with an unspecified amount of AGO.
“Our ongoing fight against crude oil theft is driven by our commitment to combat illegal bunkering activities in coastal areas, which will boost oil production in the country.
“Protection of critical assets and infrastructure is our core responsibility. As an operational commandant, my administration will restore integrity in the state.
“CORE opposes all acts of environmental degradation and pollution that pose a threat to health; we are determined to restore the glory of our economy and will not tolerate the continued theft of the nation's crude oil.”
The state NSCDC boss concluded by saying that thorough investigation would be carried out to identify those behind the illegal activities and the suspects would be prosecuted.
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