The Rivers State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have arrested seven suspects for illegal dealings in petroleum products.
The command also impounded a barge and three boats laden with Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), also known as diesel.
Addressing newsmen at the crime scene, the State Commandant, Joachin Okafor, said two suspects were arrested alongside a barge containing an unqualified illegally refined automotive gas oil.
He said another two suspects were caught scooping the product from the barge and loading them in cellophane bags for onwards conveyance to yet to be identified destination.
“We are here in Woji Jetty along Slaughter area in Port Harcourt; it is very worrisome seeing such a large barge filled with illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
As of date, we have arrested two suspects, and the director of the company, where the barge is domicile, has been invited for questioning. We are on the lookout to effect more arrests of perpetrators and their sponsors," he said.
Okafor also paraded another five suspects who were arrested by the Marine Squad of the command around the Tombia-Iwofe axis along the state waterways.
As at the time of their arrest, Okafor said they were with three boats laden with unquantified litres of diesel.
He said: “Our continuous war against crude oil theft is motivated by our resolve and commitment to combat illegal bunkering activities in the coastal areas, thereby increasing the production of oil in the nation.
"Safeguarding critical assets and infrastructure is our core mandate and as an Operational Commandant my administration will restore sanctity in the state, the Corps is against all acts of environmental degradation and pollution leading to health hazards; the glory of our economy will certainly be restored because it will not be business as usual for those stealing the nation's crude oil”.
The Commandant noted that a thorough investigation would be made to unravel those behind the unscrupulous acts, and the suspects would definitely have their time in a court of competent jurisdiction.
He maintained that he has come to the state to wage war against economic saboteurs siphoning crude oil through vandalism of pipelines, operation of illegal bunkering sites, and conveyance of illegally refined products, amongst others.
