The Rivers State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) has uncovered a new method being used by crude oil thieves to transport illegally refined petroleum products to neighboring states.
Joachim Okafor, the NSCDC Commandant in Rivers State, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Command’s Head Office in Port Harcourt. He revealed that oil thieves have now adopted Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to smuggle illegal petroleum products in a bid to evade the watchful eyes of the Corps.
Okafor explained that the Command’s Anti-Vandal Unit, on routine patrol, intercepted three SUVs filled with adulterated gasoline oil, also known as AGO or diesel, in two border local government areas of the state.
“The NSCDC Rivers State Command’s Anti-Vandal Unit was on patrol at the Etche borders in Etche Local Government Area. Upon sighting the patrol team, suspected illegal oil bunkers abandoned a Toyota Sequoia Jeep fully loaded with AGO, commonly referred to as Kpofire Diesel, and fled into a nearby bush,” Okafor explained.
A similar incident occurred at Umungu community in Omuma Local Government Area, where suspected oil thieves abandoned two other Sequoia Jeeps containing the adulterated products upon seeing the NSCDC patrol team. The suspects quickly ran into a nearby forest to avoid capture.
Okafor assured that the fleeing suspects would be apprehended soon. He confirmed that the seized vehicles and the illicit petroleum products would be forfeited to the Federal Government.
The Commandant emphasized the importance of community collaboration in securing the nation’s critical assets, particularly pipelines, and vowed that the NSCDC would not relent in its efforts to curb oil theft.
“Oil thieves should seek lawful means of livelihood,” Okafor warned, adding that the Command would not hesitate to take action against anyone caught in illegal activities.
