BY GABRIEL OKECHUKWU, PORT HARCOURT
Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Rivers State Command has uncovered a premises used for illegal oil dump in Ogbogoro community Obio/Akpo Local Government Area Rivers State.
The Commandant NSCDC Rivers State, Michael Besong who made the revelation while parading nineteen suspects arrested in different parts of the State for illegal oil deals, told journalists that the property has been confiscated while legal action would follow immediately.
Entering the premises, one will be greeted with poultry like structures and two refuse disposal trucks with stack of wastes inside.
However, all those may just be mere jimicks to conceal the shady oil activities going on in the compound as there are both surface and underground tanks laden with adulterated petroleum products within.
The system was well fabricated with suction pipes connecting the tanks for easy loading of products for commercial purposes.
What may be more worrisome is that this is situated in a residential environment.
Conducting Newsmen round the compound, the Commandant Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Rivers State Command, Michael Besong revealed that the reconstituted Anti Vandal unit of the command burst the premises through a tip off.
Commandant Besong who warned that any property that harbors illegal oil dump would be confiscated told landlords not to fall prey to dubious oil activities.
” As directed by the NSCDC Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi mni, a marching order was given to the Marine and land operatives to massively arrest pipeline Vandals and illegal oil dealers in the State and this has enhanced our doggedness in the series of arrests made by the Command”.
While parading nineteen suspects arrested in different parts of the State for oil theft, the NSCDC Rivers State boss attributed the feat to the dogged fight by the Marine and land patrol team of the Command.
According to him, seven vehicles, two trucks and three wooden boats used for illegal oil deals were confiscated along the line.
“The Marine and land Patrol team arrested 19 suspects at different locations in the State; 4 Suspects named: Peter Udo ‘M’ 20years, Benjamin God’s power ‘M’ 16years, God’s gift Nicholas ‘M’ 19years and Goodness Sunday ‘M’ aged 19year were arrested with One (1) Big wooden boat and a 40 HP outboard engine along Bakana river close to Bakana Community in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.”
Two of the suspects Hilary John and Clinton Brown denied involvement in oil theft.
The Rivers State Commandant who solicited timely information from the public, said that the suspects would be charged to court.
