BUSTED: NSCDC Uncovers Massive Oil Bunkering Site Where Oil Thieves Tap Directly Into Manifold, Oil Well Head In River, Arrest 3 Suspects

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), has uncovered and dismantled another massive illegal bunkering site in Odagwa community, Etche local government area of Rivers State, where oil thieves directly tapped into multinationals oil manifold and oil well Head.

The four hours operational tour across the tick forest by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad and the media team, led to the arrest of three suspects allegedly Involved in the illegal siphoning of crude oil.

Addressing the newsmen on behalf of the NSCDC Rivers State Commandant Basil Igwebueze, the Command Spokesperson, Superintendent Olufemi Ayodele, said that the success recorded following a marching order from the Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, who emphasized the need to step up the operational and intelligence mechanism in the protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure across the nation.

He said during the operation, three suspects were arrested while others took to their heels maneuvering the forest due to the terrain.

According to him, a large multinational’s manifold was invaded through a broken fence, and large industrial hoses were used to siphon crude oil and transmitted through numerous metal galvanized pipes to cooking pots and further stored in reservoirs for onward loading to would be buyers.

“Having walked through this thick forest, you have practically seen how the manifold and oil well head were vandalized by unscrupulous elements, they tapped into the source and buried the hoses and pipes underground, waiting for the multinationals to pump the crude, immediately the pumping starts they commence their nefarious operations through illegal local refining of crude to derive Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), DPK and other products”.

While answering questions on the reason for continuous rebuilt of some illegal bunkering site after being dismantled by the security agencies, Afolabi said that the fight against illegal bunkering is a strategic war that must be fought with collective will and consciousness, especially with the fact that such acts causes environmental degradation, pollination and health hazard.

“Hence, to eradicate ‘black soot’ the locals and all stakeholders must come to terms to say no to operation of illegal local refineries and other activities which causes more harm to the people and the environment as well.

“On this note I wish to reiterate the words of the NSCDC Boss that: “the fight against oil theft, vandalism and illegal dealings in petroleum product is non-negotiable as the NSCDC is fully committed to its statutory mandate of safeguarding all critical national assets and infrastructure; this we would do relentlessly and without compromise”.

Corroborating this, National PRO of NSCDC, CSC Babawale Afolabi, in a statement, hinted that the NSCDC Commandant General has unwavering determination in waging continuous war against illegal dealings in petroleum products, oil theft, vandalism of oil pipelines and all forms of economic sabotage noting that within a very short period, the CG’s SIS has dismantled over 350 illegal bunkering site in the Niger Delta area while hundreds of suspects have been arrested and prosecuted in the court of competent jurisdiction.