The Special Intelligence Squad of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has apprehended three women in connection with pipeline vandalism, oil theft, and illegal petroleum dealings in Rivers State.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that the arrests took place in Umuodo, Umuajuloke Community, Omuma Local Government Area, following an intelligence-led operation.
Speaking On Sunday, the SIS Commander, Deputy Commandant Apollo Dandaura, revealed that the operation was successful due to sustained intelligence efforts.
He said the crime scene was identified as an illegal oil refinery where large quantities of illegally refined petroleum products, suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), were discovered.
“Based on credible intelligence, we swung into action and arrested three suspects at the crime scene with large quantities of illegally refined AGO already stored inside metallic drums while others were inside cellophane bags,” Dandaura stated.
His comments were contained in a statement signed by CSC Babawale Afolabi, Public Relations Officer at the NSCDC national headquarters in Abuja.
He added that the suspects have been identified as Happiness Nwankwo, 45, an indigene of Omuma, Rivers State; Nnoma Nwankwo, 30, also from Rivers State; and Favour Amadi, from Omuma, Rivers State.
Various exhibits were recovered at the scene, including numerous drum ovens containing stolen and siphoned crude oil undergoing processing, industrial hoses used to tap into well-heads to siphon crude oil, and large quantities of stolen crude oil stored in cellophane bags and kegs.
Additionally, metal and plastic buckets, wheelbarrows, shovels, and galvanized metal pipes were seized.
DC Dandaura hinted that investigations have commenced to unravel the extent of the suspects’ involvement and identify their sponsors.
He emphasized that those found culpable after a thorough investigation would face prosecution.
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