NSCDC destroys 700 drums of illegally refined fuel in Rivers
Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on Friday destroyed over 700 drums of illegally refined automotive gas oil popularly known as diesel, Punchng reported.
The men of the NSCDC, Rivers State Command, had after being tipped off, stormed an illegal warehouse used in storing refined AGO in large quantities in Ogbogoro community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
One suspect identified as Callistus was arrested by security operatives, who combed every part of the warehouse to unearth the locations of stolen oil.
Some of the illegally refined products were also hidden in makeshift stores close to the warehouse where a huge number of drums filled with fuel were discovered by the NSCDC’s operatives.
Southern City News observed a police post near the fuel dump, even as the operatives wondered why the policemen manning a firm close to the place did not arrest the oil thieves inside the warehouse.
Close to the illicit warehouse is a firm suspected to be involved in illicit dredging.
But the Branch Manager of the dredging company, Mr. Samuel Okorie, said he had no business reporting the illegal storage of fuel in the warehouse to security agencies.
Okorie, who was taken away by NSCDC operatives, said, “My business here is just dredging. So, I don’t look into any other thing. I see them (the oil bunkerers), but it is not my concern because I only pay for this space I am occupying and I don’t pay for that place they are using.
“I just mind my business because I don’t want to die. I have license as a dredger because that is my job. I am surprised to see the Civil Defence today.
“My interest here is to dredge my sand and not to monitor any bunkering activity. I come here every day to do my business without fear because clear conscience fears no accusation. I cannot begin to run about for something I don’t know anything about.”
In her remark, the State Commandant of the NSCDC, Mrs. Helen Amakiri, said the operation at Ogbogoro in Obio/Akpor was part of the mandate of the security outfit.
Amakiri explained that the NSCDC would not relent in its effort to stamp out illegal refining and vandalisation of oil facilities, adding that those tampering with government critical assets would be dealt with.
She maintained that suspects arrested at the warehouse in Ogbogoro community, including Okorie, who was alleged to be involved in dredging without licence, would further be investigated and prosecuted if found culpable.
“As we have arrested them, we will start investigations. If they are licensed, we will let them go. But if they do not have licence, we will prosecute them so that it will serve as a deterrent and warning to others in Rivers State.
“If you are interested in the dredging business, you must obtain the licence from the Ministry of Mines and Solid Minerals or Ministry of Environment,” the state NSCDC commandant added.
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