Mohammed Shosanya
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has uncovered cemeteries converted by vandals into illegal oil refining sites.
A statement signed by Olufemi Ayodele, Public Relations Officer for the NSCDC in Rivers State on Thursday, disclosed that the busted illegal crude oil refining operation was hidden in a cemetery situated between Abalama and Oproama Communities in Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the State.
He stated that operatives of the corps, led by the marine anti-vandal squad, dismantled the illegal refining equipment and disrupted the activities of the unscrupulous individuals involved in the illicit trade in a four hours operation.
According to him,the discovery of the bunkering site was consequent upon credible and sustained intelligence of the corps in raiding and dismantling all illegal operations in the Niger Delta region.
He also emphasized the importance of intelligence gathering in the fight against illegal activities.
He said: “Recall that the NSCDC Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi gave a marching order to all Formations in the Niger Delta to step up their Intelligence and Operational efficiency; acting on this directive the Rivers State Commandant Basil Igwebueze deployed the Marine Antivadal Squad to the crime scene where several boats filled with crude oil and refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were sighted
“This is Abalama community and behind us is Oproama community as well where Cemeteries were converted to illegal bunkering sites; Upon our arrival, the Suspects took to their heels knowing the Squad had superior firepower; the NSCDC as an environmentally friendly agency outrightly condemned all acts of environmental pollution, degradation of the aquatic life and economic sabotage
“We have contacted some good people in the two communities and they are cooperating with us so that the perpetrators would be apprehended in due course.
“However, the quantities in litres of the locally refined AGO cannot be ascertained.”
Ayodele quoted, the State Command Commandant, Basil Igwebueze, as issuing a strong warning to vandals and illegal bunkerers operating in the State to resist from their actions, emphasising that the battle against oil theft is a continuous and uncompromising campaign.
He added that the commandant has also vowed that individuals arrested in connection with the crimes along with their accomplices and sponsors, would face the full force of the law and suffer the consequences of their actions.