NSCDC operatives arrest crude oil thieves in Rivers

The operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, have arrested two crude oil thieves in Onelga local government area of Rivers State.

The operatives who belong to the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad( CG’s SIS) acted on a tip-off to effect the  arrest of the suspects at a rented apartment around Egbede area of Onelga Council area of Rivers State, our Correspondent gathered from the NSCDC headquarters in Abuja.

According to the Public Relations officer of the NSCDC, Babawale Afolabi, the suspects along with some youths in Ebocha community were operating illegal refineries where they cook or refine stolen petroleum products.

“They planned to cook/ refine and extract AGO/ diesel) from the illegal refinery”, Mr Afolabi said in a statement.

“But acting swiftly after getting the intelligent tip the Special Intelligence Squad swung into action and were able to apprehend two key suspects  namely Joseph Peter, 43, from Delta State and   Evans Okorie, 36, from Imo State at their hideouts”, the Public Relations Officer added.

He said the Corps operatives recovered a motorcycle, eight illegal refineries ( also known as cooking pots)  within different locations, a welding tongue, a bottle of crude oil, a list containing names of accomplices and a multinational oil company’s truck line points from the gang.

“The seized illegal refineries, also known as cooking pots were destroyed, (since they could not be moved,)  immediately under the supervision of well-documented video coverage while the two suspects and exhibits were in custody at NSCDC headquarters in Abuja”, Afolabi said.