Two arrested as NSCDC strengthens crackdown on oil theft
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Special Intelligence Squad of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has intensified efforts to combat illegal petroleum dealings and economic sabotage.
The squad recently arrested two suspects, Jeremiah Ufok, 28, and Saviour Patrick, 22, in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.
They were caught extracting and refining crude oil into Automotive Gas Oil and Dual Purpose Kerosene.
Meanwhile, before this, the squad had arrested four other suspects in the area and reaffirmed its commitment to tackling oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
This was disclosed in a statement by the NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi.
The statement reads, “In a swift response to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Commandant General’s marching order on intense war against pipeline Vandalism and crude oil theft in the nation; the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad has avowed continuous and relentless fight against illegal dealings in petroleum products and economic sabotage.
“The CG SIS Commander, who spoke after the arrest of 2 suspects at Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State said Jeremiah Ufok (M) 28years and Saviour Patrick (M) 22years were caught siphoning crude oil from the pipeline and equally refining the same into Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) using local cooking drums and pots.
“Commandant Appolos Dandaura hinted that in spite of the initial arrest of 4 in the area, the suspects have refused to repent hence the Squad under his watch is poised to keep waging war against those causing the nation to lose millions of dollars through oil theft and Vandalism of pipelines.
“We want to thank the public for the confidence reposed in NSCDC and their efforts by giving credible Information leading to the arrests of these suspects; we have briefed the CG about the arrest and we have his direct order to properly investigate and further arrest the sponsors and other accomplices who are currently at large’.
“Notably, The arrest was a successful operation as we promptly responded to a sustained Intelligence tip-off that a group of notorious suspects were locally refining stolen crude oil at Open River Camp in Ukwa axis of Abia; some items recovered at the crime scene are: Kegs filled with AGO and DPK’.
“After a thorough investigation, the suspects would be made to have their time at a Court of competent jurisdiction to serve as a deterrent to others.”
