Rivers Eight suspected oil thieves in NSCDC net

Eight persons have been arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Rivers State Command for oil theft.

The State Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr Mohammed Haruna, who disclosed this while parading the suspects in Port Harcourt, said three large metal barges, four trucks, two speed boats and two vehicles were seized from them by the security outfit.

Haruna explained that four of the suspects were nabbed at the Bodo Owokiri open river and Bolo River on October 31, 2018, while two others were arrested at an illegal refining site in Bodo West the following day.

He added that two other suspected oil thieves were arrested with a substance suspected to be illegally refined diesel at Etewo in Eleme Local Government Area of the state.

Haruna stated, “On October 26, three large barges were arrested at Alakiri. The arrest was made in collaboration with the Operation Delta Safe. Four trucks loaded with petroleum products and an Iveco truck loaded with some litres of crude oil were arrested along the Abuloma waterside.

“On October 31, four suspects with two speedboats were arrested at the Bodo Owokiri open river and Bolo River. On November 1, two suspects were also arrested at an illegal refining site within Bodo West through joint operations led by a team of anti-vandalism personnel of the NSCDC.

“Similarly, on November 7, 2018, the anti-vandalism team of the NSCDC also arrested two suspects with two vehicles loaded with suspected illegally refined AGO at Etewo in Eleme Local Government Area of the state.”

He, however, expressed the command’s determination to fight oil thieves to a standstill, adding that he would not succumb to pressure from any quarter to release any suspect caught in the act of oil theft or vandalism of oil facilities.

Haruna added, “The arrested suspects are currently undergoing interrogation and will be charged to court at the close of our investigation.

“We don’t allow pressure from any quarter to affect our job, because nobody is above the law. We urge those involved in oil theft and the destruction of oil installations to desist from such illicit acts.