Delta NSCDC Command parades 8 suspects for crude oil theft, pipeline vandalisim

Mr Akinsanya Iskilu Abiodun, Delta State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has paraded 8 suspects in connection with crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSC Emeka Peters Okwechime in a statement issued to newsmen stated that the arrest was a result of the commandant’s recently launched Special Tactical Team, code-named “Operation Show No Mercy To Crude Oil Thieves, Pipeline Vandals, Amongst Other Crimes and Criminalities” in the state.

He said that barely 24 hours into the team’s operations they arrested some suspected crude oil thieves and vandals along the Warri Sapele Road and those illegally dealing in petroleum products suspected to be dual purpose kerosine (DPK) and Automated Gasoline Oil AGO.

DSC Okwechime gave the names of the arrested suspects as Mr Salisu Ibrahim 22yrs (m), Idris Ilia 23yrs (m) and Usman Adamu 32yrs (m)

“The Team also busted and sealed up an illegal dump site used in illegally dealing and storing of illegally refined petroleum product suspected to be Automated Gasoline Oil AGO close to the Niger Cat junction in Uvwie LGA of the state which led to the arrest of two other suspects who gave their names as, Aminu Garuba 32yrs (m) and Usman Tasiu 19yrs (m).

“The Team also swoop on black marketers at the Warri Sapele highway, who are illegally dealing in petroleum products suspected to be Automated Gasoline Oil AGO where several drums of illegally refined AGO were destroyed and two suspects arrested.

Also paraded, according to him, was one 40yrs old Mrs Blessing Ojewale, who engaged in illegal dealing in petroleum product suspected to be Dual Purpose Kerosine DPK concealed in about 30 polythene sacks estimated to be about 1000 litres of DPK loaded in a Toyota sienna bus with registration number LSR 832 CZ used in conveying the product.

“She was arrested on the 12th of September 2022 at about 1600hrs at Ebendo along Kwale road by the Commandant Special Tactical Team, while the driver jumped into the bush upon sighting the men of the NSCDC.

Delta NSCDC Spokesman further disclosed that one Idogor Sunday (m) was also arrested with about 27 25liters Jerry cans of petroleum product suspected to be Dual Purpose Kerosene DPK loaded in a Mitsubishi Space Runner bus with Registration Number CL 374 ABC.

“He was arrested at Kwale Junction in Ogwash-Uku along the Asaba Kwale highway at about 1930hrs on the 12th of September 2022 by the Commandant Special Tactical Team.

DSC Emeka Okwechime however said that the sting operations and raiding would continue until the State is sanitised of crude oil thieves and pipeline vandals.

All the arrested suspects, he said would be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation for them to face the full weight of the law and to serve as deterrents to would-be criminals.