An illegal local refining site in a dense forest area of Nembe/Akwa in Etche Local Government, Rivers State has been uncovered.
This discovery was announced by CSC Babawale Afolabi, in a statement by the National Public Relations Officer at the National Headquarters in Abuja.
The Special Intelligence Squad of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps made the discovery.
Acting on credible intelligence, the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad conducted a thorough operational tour lasting over seven hours.
During this mission, they uncovered an illegal refining operation where oil well-heads had been tampered with, and rubber and galvanized metal pipes were used to redirect crude oil to a locally constructed refinery site, complete with cooking ovens, storage tanks, and reservoirs.
DC Appolos Dandaura, the CG’s SIS Commander, expressed concern over the ongoing illegal activities despite the Security Agencies’ efforts to combat them.
He acknowledged the squad’s significant success in combating crude oil theft nationwide and thanked the public for providing valuable intelligence. The statement emphasized the continued crackdown on illegal activities involving petroleum products, with those caught and their supporters facing legal repercussions.
Despite the continuous dismantling of illegal bunkering sites and arrests, many individuals remain involved in illegal oil bunkering activities without remorse. The statement highlighted the importance of community collaboration in providing actionable intelligence for successful operations. The fight against oil theft remains a priority for the squad.
During the operational tour, various items were confiscated, including a Red RWD 5200 Maxmech Gasoline Generator, a yellow Robin-made pumping machine, hoses, galvanized metal pipes, sacks for packaging Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), cellophane bags, head flashlights, batteries, and a plier.
