By: Emmanuel Nlewedum
Officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), has been charged to intensify efforts in the fight against illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism in Niger Delta and the country in general.
Commandant General of NSCDC, Ahmed Abubarka Audi gave the charge while parading over forty suspected oil thieves arrested by the Rivers State Command in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Audi who was on a working visit to the Rivers State Command declared total war on oil thieves and vandals in the country stressing that it will no longer be business as usual.
He warned all those engaging in illegal oil bunkering activities to stop or relocate from Nigeria as the Corps is out to make the country uncomfortable for them.
“In the bid to checkmate the excesses of oil thieves and illegal bunkering and to ensure the critical national assets in the state are safe from economic saboteurs, the State Command of the NSCDC in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy arrested 40 suspected oil thieves, 10 Trucks, 9 Boats, 69 Jerry cans, Drums, 100 Petroleum Pipes, 83 sacks, Seven (7) pumping machines, seven (7) 40HP Yamaha engines, One (1) 90HP Yamaha engine, several hoses and sacks all filled with suspected adulterated petroleum products”.
The NSCDC boss disclosed that the Command also arrested 3 large wooden boats (popularly known as cotonou boat) loaded with suspected adulterated petroleum products at Rumuparaeli community in Obio/Akpor local government council, adding that two pumping machines and a long hose used for acts of vandalism were also recovered from them.
Explaining further he said, a suspected pipeline vandal was arrested at Ogba Egbema Ndoni LGA, while 2 oil thieves were apprehended along Elele/Owerri road in Ikwere LGA of the state.
He however called on the general public to assist the Corps with information that will lead to arrest of oil bunkerers around their domain, adding that operatives of the NSCDC will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that illegal oil bunkering is eradicated in Rivers State, Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.
