The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said its operatives busted an illegal oil dump site and impounded a truck laden with adulterated petroleum products in Igbo-Etche in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The newly deployed NSCDC Commandant, Rivers state Command, Joachin Okafor, said this while showing newsmen around the premises on Monday.
Okafor said the crude oil were stored in over 70 tanks at an abandoned construction site in Egbo=Etche.
He called on all officers and men to increase their intelligence skills in order to gather credible information that would enhance the arrests of vandals and illegal bunkerers in the state.
Okafor said the state will no longer be a safe place for those stealing and refining petroleum products illegally, noting that the fight against such illicit acts and the overall protection of the nation’s critical national assets and infrastructure will be given utmost priority under his watch.
He stated, “You are all aware that the nation is losing a lot and the economy is being sabotaged because of the unscrupulous activities of crude oil thieves, our environment is also being polluted and degraded.
“The Rivers NSCDC is awakened to its responsibilities and my administration has zero tolerance for vandalism of pipelines and illegal bunkering.
“Aside from the illegal dump, the Antivandal squad also impounded seven drums of Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel) and a Truck laden with suspected adulterated petroleum products at Obioakpor Local Government and Elelenwo in Eleme Area of Rivers State respectively.
“I advise them to relocate or better undertake a legitimate business because this Rivers State will not contain us; we have started and we will not relent in the fight even as we collaborate with the government, our sisters’ security agencies, community youths and traditional leaders amongst others; All hands must be on deck.”
The state commandant further said the Anti Vandal Squad also impounded seven drums of Automotive Gas Oil and a truck laden with suspected adulterated petroleum products at Obioakpor Local Government and Elelenwo in Eleme Area of Rivers state respectively.
He said that a thorough investigation would be carried out and the command would proceed to court to determine the fate of the suspects and the impounded products.
Okafor thanked the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for his continuous support and further pleaded for more, especially in terms of operational vehicles as the local government election approaches.
He said the corps under the leadership of the Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar, would leave no stone unturned in protecting critical national assets in the state.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
