The Anambra State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has expressed its commitment to eradicating the issues of crude oil theft, illegal activities involving petroleum products, and vandalism of oil pipelines.
The State Commandant of NSCDC, Edwin Osuala, affirmed this resolve in Awka on Tuesday, following the reception of six individuals apprehended by the Nigerian Navy, Onitsha Outpost.
The suspects have been handed over to the NSCDC command for further investigation and subsequent prosecution in court.
This information was conveyed in a press statement released by the state Public Relations Officer of NSCDC, Okadigbo Edwin, on Tuesday.
The statement read, “On the 03/11/2023, at about 06:00hrs, one Ugwu Donatus ‘m’ aged 57yrs, Chukwudi Eke ‘m’ aged 52yrs and one Nwabueze Daniel ‘m’ aged 30yrs respectively, were arrested along Atani Road, Odekpe Community in Ogbaru LGA of Anambra State while conveying 70 sack bags of petroleum products, estimated about 3,500 liters of suspected adulterated Automotive Gas Oil in a white Nissan vehicle with registration no: Enugu ENU 391 XX.”
“Similarly, on November 7, 2023, at about 13:00hrs, one Chinedu Okafor ‘m’ aged 32yrs, Abu Galaddima ‘m’ aged 42yrs, and Rishamah Abbass ‘m’ aged 29yrs, respectively were arrested within Odekpe Community in Ogbaru LGA with two white J5 Vans with registration nos: Anambra XA 929 ZBL and Anambra AWK 776 YZ and laden with 100 sack bags of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil estimated to be about 5,000 litres.”
Osuala further revealed that initial investigations indicate the products loaded at Osssamala Community in Ogbaru Local Government Area were en route to Upper Iweka as their final destination.
He clarified that an individual named Emeka Emeka alleged to be the owner of the products, is currently evading authorities, and ongoing monitoring efforts are in place to apprehend him.
The head of the NSCDC command noted that all detained suspects are cooperating with the command by providing valuable information to assist in apprehending their collaborators.
He commended the Navy for the arrests, emphasizing the successful collaboration between NSCDC and the Navy in combatting economic crimes in the country.
He said, “I want to commend the Nigerian Navy for assisting the Corps being the lead agency in the protection of critical national assets and the eradication of illegal dealings on petroleum products. With the successful handover of these suspects and the exhibits to us, we would immediately launch a credible investigation.”
“We are assuring the Navy and members of the public that proper investigation would be carried out on the suspects and any other culprits involved with the case for possible prosecution.”
“The handing over of the suspects and the exhibits to the NSCDC is a sign that security agencies operating in Anambra State are united in crime fighting. This synergy is what is needed to wage a full-scale war against the perpetrators of the heinous crime.”
“I want to advise these economic saboteurs to steer clear of Anambra State because we have activated our operational mechanism in all the nooks and crannies of the state to make this place hot for them to operate. They should either look for legitimate business to engage in or turn a new leaf.”
In the meantime, he issued a stern caution to individuals involved in oil theft, illegal bunkering, pipeline vandalism, and other illicit activities, urging them to relocate from the state as there would be no sanctuary for them within its vicinity.
He encouraged the public to stay vigilant and furnish the Command with reliable information to aid in suppressing the activities of criminal elements and those sabotaging the economy.