The 19 men suspected to be engaging in illegal refining of crude oil and bunkering in Rivers have been arrested.
The men were arrested by officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) during the command’s raid operations in the state
NSCDC Commandant in Rivers, Mr Micheal Ogar, who paraded the suspects to newsmen in Port Harcourt on Monday, said they were arrested in different locations .
He said the raids were in support of Gov. Nyesom Wike’s fight against illegal crude oil refining, largely responsible for soot pollution in the state.
According to him, the mopping of illegal artisanal refineries, bunkering sites and arrest of suspects has restored confidence in the people.
“Our tactical teams on land and waterways have arrested several suspects with the help of credible information about the activities of illegal bunkers.
“In our latest operations, we arrested 19 suspects engaged in illegal bunkering offences in different locations in Rivers state.
Ogar said items recovered during the operations were 28,050 litres of suspected adulterated diesel; three wooden boats and three 40/15 horsepower outboard engines.
“Others are five vehicles and two trucks used to convey the petroleum products; one drum, one cellophane bag, two pumping machines and an unspecified quantity of Petroleum Motor Spirit (petrol)”, he added.
He said the command was fully focussed on actualising government’s mandate to end crude oil theft, illegal refining of petroleum products and vandalism of critical oil and gas facilities.
