In Anambra State, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence, NSCDC, has arrested and paraded three suspects for engaging in oil theft.
The trio was caught transporting 1,625 liters of adulterated diesel, also referred to as Automotive Gas Oil, in Odekpe within Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.
The individuals apprehended are Okechukwu Okeke (28) from Ojoto, Idemili South LGA, Emeka Chukwuma (34) from Akili – Ozizor, Ogbaru LGA, both in Anambra State, and Ifunanya Ike (29) from Mbano LGA in Imo State. They were taken into custody on Thursday, March 28, 2024, along Atani road.
During the parade of the suspects at the State Command, State Commandant Olatunde Maku disclosed that the arrest was made by the Joint Operating Team of the Anti-Vandalism Squad of the Command led by ACC Chinenye Chinweze and the Nigerian Navy.
The suspects were caught transporting the products in two shuttle buses – a white bus with plate number Anambra AWK 429 XY and an ash-colored bus with registration number Anambra GDD 277 XB.
Once investigations are completed, they will be arraigned, with a commitment from Maku to intensify efforts in combatting crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering, and black-market racketeering of petroleum products in Anambra State.
Maku urged the public to aid the Command in its enhanced efforts to eradicate illegal oil refining activities in the state by providing intelligence on illegal oil bunkering within their localities.
He applauded the collaborative efforts with the Nigerian Navy, emphasizing the importance of such partnerships in fighting against criminal activities.
The NSCDC, as the leading agency in protecting critical national and local government assets and infrastructure, maintains a strict stance against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities.
The agency remains resolute in its mission to eliminate illegal petroleum products racketeering and related criminal acts in Anambra state.