In Rivers State, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) recovered over 100,000 litres of illegally refined diesel.
The command’s spokesperson, Olufemi Ayodele, stated this on Tuesday while presenting 14 suspects in connection with the crime, all of whom were between the ages of 31 and 49.
Despite the apparent resistance of the perpetrators of the crime, Ayodele vowed to intensify the fight against illegal refining of crude oil in the state while displaying the impounded vehicles and products at the Corps Headquarters in Port Harcourt.
Addressing journalists, he said operatives of the command deployed to parts of the state intercepted and recovered (103,800) litres of diesel suspected to be illegally refined and being transported in small vehicles and trucks to different locations within and outside Rivers State, in the period under review.
The products displayed were concealed in plastic bags, a common tactic by the criminals to beat security checks.
Speaking further, Ayodele explained that the 14 suspects were arrested for either transporting the products on land and on waterways, or being in possession of aluminum materials used in the fabrication of Illegal refineries.
According to him, they were arrested in Obio/Akpor, Ahoada East, Ikwerre, Degema and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas.
He said two wooden boats, four trucks, and four cars were also impounded in the operation, adding that the suspects will be prosecuted according to the law.