NEDU MARK, Yenagoa
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said, Tuesday, it arrested eight persons involved in illegal oil bunkering and selling of adulterated Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) in the state.
The eight suspects were arrested in two separate locations in Southern Ijaw and Yenagoa areas of Bayelsa state.
The suspects arrested on Yenagoa-Mbiama Road were apprehended while discharging adulterated petrol to Lion Filling Station.
The victims were said to have succeeded in transporting the products, totalling 25 drums of adulterated PMS (petrol) by concealing them in a truck stuffed with woods.
Their antics was to give impression that they were carrying woods to beat security checks, but luck was said to have run out on them when they were apprehended by the corps operatives at the point of discharging the products.
Briefing journalists at the command office shortly after their parade the State Commandant, Desmond Agu, said the suspects were arrested on November 7.
“Four persons were arrested o November 7 at the Lion Fuel Station on the Yenagoa-Mbiama Road where 25 drums containing adulterated petrol were being discharged.
“The petrol was siphoned from the Nigerian Agip Oil Company’s pipeline at Taylor Creek in Azuzuama in Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa.
“The other four persons were caught at Otuegwe community in Bayelsa. They were involved in illegal bunkering activities. 33 jerry cans, a motor cycle, long hoses and three wheel barrows were recovered.”
The commandant said, in addition to the arrests, over 16,000 litres of Automated Gas Oil (diesel) were impounded in Yenagoa.
He, however, said the suspects were yet to be apprehended, noting that his operatives had intensified efforts to arrest those behind the illegal deal.
He reaffirmed his command’s commitment to fighting vandalism, illegal bunkering and other oil-related theft to a standstill.
The commandant, who promised to prosecute the eight suspects, reiterated the corps readiness to collaborate with other sister security agencies in the state to ensure that the battle against pipeline vandalism, illegal bunkering and other oil-related theft were won.
Similarly the commandant said the command had entered into partnership with Shell Petroleum Development Company and Agip, adding that men of the corps had been providing security cover for those companies’ facilities at different locations.
The command, he said had set up the critical infrastructure unit and strengthened it to effectively perform the duty of protecting critical assets.
He said, “To this end, a good number of operators of the corps have been deployed in strategic areas including the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company and other relevant authorities within its mandate to protect critical national assets.
“The corps has now become a part of the Bayelsa State special security outfit, codenamed ‘Operation Doo Akpo’. The command has to a large extent contributed to the relative peace in the state as crime and criminal activities have drastically reduced.”
Adding that the command had made tremendous arrests, out of which, 18 persons were currently being prosecuted in the court.
