The Abia State Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence in Umuahia paraded a suspected crude oil vandal identified as Philip Iroha, aged 42years.
The suspect, The Nation gathered, was the conductor to an unmarked MAN Diesel truck that was used for crude oil theft.
Iroha was said to have been arrested after the driver of the vehicle and owner of the stolen crude oil escaped.
Speaking to reporters during the parade of the suspect, the state corps commandant, Nnamdi Nwannukwu, stated that Iroha was arrested for his alleged involvement in oil pipelines vandalism and illegal dealing in petroleum products suspected to be crude oil.
He added that another unmarked Mack truck laden with crude oil was recovered by the command personnel after the driver and other occupants fled on sighting NSCDC personnel and abandoning their truck.
According to Nwannukwu, the recovered vehicles were laden with 35,000 and 6,000 litres of products suspected to be crude oil.
“The truck was stationed at Imo Gate Bridge in Ukwa West Local Government Area with the hose connected to a pipeline near the bridge and on sighting men of the command’s anti-vandalism on patrol in the area, the vandals took to their heels, abandoning the truck with no registration number.
“From preliminary investigation, the truck doesn’t have the licence to deal with petroleum products. The said truck doesn’t have a haulage permit that allows it to be used to convey petroleum products. The product itself doesn’t have any purchase receipt.
“At the end of investigation, the suspect will be charged to a court of competent jurisdiction for diligent prosecution,” NSCDC Commandant said.
