Officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have dismantled an illegal bunkering site in the Ukwa East Local Government, Abia State.
A statement signed by the NSCDC spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi, on Wednesday, said the operatives impounded 9,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil from oil thieves in the state.
Afolabi said the operations were conducted by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad in a renewed onslaught against the activities of economic saboteurs.
The illegal bunkering site, a large local pour-put boat for conveying locally-refined petroleum products, and a loading point were destroyed by the NSCDC team.
He explained that the squad, through credible intelligence, got wind of oil bunkering activities taking place at Inhandu/Ikwariator Riverside, Ukwa East Council Area, saying an uninterrupted loading and conveyance of Automotive Gas Oil concealed in cellophane bags were ongoing in the area.
“The team swung into action and was able to uncover a bunkering site where local refining of petroleum products had been going on for a long time,” he said.
He revealed that those involved in the illegal activities ran away on sighting the NSCDC operatives.
“In its determination to salvage the nation from economic saboteurs, the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad has dismantled an illegal oil bunkering site, a large local Pour-put Boat for conveying locally refined petroleum products, a loading point and Automotive Gas Oil amounting to 9,000 litres at Inhandu Community of Ukwa East Local Government Area in Abia State.
“While touring across the site, some bags of AGO were also packed in an uncompleted building while some were loaded inside three different vehicles ready for supply.
“Some of the exhibits recovered at the crime scene are two Fibre Boats with 40 Horse Power Yamaha Engines, two empty J5 Buses and one Sequoia Jeep about to be loaded, two large wooden boats still under construction and some quantities of AGO concealed in cellophane bags,” the spokesperson said.
He said the Intelligence and Investigation department had commenced an investigation on the matter, while operatives were on the trails of the oil thieves.
