The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has discovered unauthorized crude oil refining activities in the creek areas of Odagwa community within the Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Babawale Afolabi, the Public Relations Officer for NSCDC, disclosed this information in an official statement on Monday in Abuja. He mentioned that the achievement was accomplished by the Commandant General Special Intelligence Squad.
He pointed out that the Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has declared that during his tenure, the NSCDC will stay committed to combating oil theft, vandalism, and economic sabotage within the oil industry.
Audi reinforced his commitment to launch an unyielding battle against individuals who benefit from the oil-rich areas via illicit transactions involving fuel products.
After completing his mission in the Niger Delta, he addressed his team to uplift their spirits, ensure the security of key oil facilities, and supervise efforts against sabotage in the region’s waters.
Through the National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, the Chief of theNSCDC lamented the circumstances in the Odagwa community withinEtche,LagosState,where theCommanderGeneralofSpecialIntelligenceUnithad previously engagedin combatagainstpipelinevandalismand stronglyopposedsuchillegalactivities.He emphasizedthattheorganizationaimstoidentifythesponsorsbehindtheseactionsandprosecutethemandaccordingtothecurrentfederallaws.
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He stated that the Nigerian Navy’s Special Interdiction Squadron (SIS), headed by Commandant AS Dandaura, has achieved significant and indisputable success in tackling crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region. Recently, more than 65 illicit oil storage sites and illegal refining facilities have been taken down.
“While monitoring oil installations and facilities across the Niger Delta, our men responded swiftly to an intelligence tip-off that there has been an organised operation of illegal refining of crude oil ongoing in the creeks at Odagwa Community in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“Upon arrival, the CG’s SIS discovered that vandals had manoeuvred through the creeks and accessed the main oil trunk line, connected their installed pipes, and channelled the crude into reservoirs. It was then directed through a cooking process and later packaged and bagged in cellophane nylons and kegs.
“As soon as the suspects spotted our team from a distance, they fled immediately. Meanwhile, the agents discovered an unauthorized fuel refinement operation at the location, where items like Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and DPK were scattered around,” he said.
As per the report, items found at the crime scene consist of substantial amounts of pilfered crude oil that has been transferred into plastic wraps and barrels, resources utilized for illicitly processing crude oil, multiple zinc-coated steel tubes, discarded attire along with various individual possessions, metallic pails, and additional objects.
However, the CG urged the public to keep supplying the Corps with reliable information.
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