The Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) Special Intelligence Squad (SIS) has uncovered an illegal oil bunkering site in Tombo Camp, Well 9 Waterfront, Umuegusi community, Owaza Town, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.
This was revealed in a press release issued on Thursday by the National Public Relations Officer, CSC Afolabi Babawale.
According to the SIS Commander, DCC Appolos Dandaura, the operatives stormed the site and discovered a vast area containing more than ten active local refining ovens.
The makeshift drums were categorized into three-in-one, two-in-one, and single-drum configurations, all being used to boil suspected stolen crude oil.
Dandaura further explained that some of the local cooking pots were actively processing the stolen crude into adulterated automotive gas oil (AGO) at the time of the operation.
Three individuals were arrested for their involvement in the illegal bunkering. They include 37-year-old Joseph Cookeygan from Opobo Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State, the alleged owner of a large wooden boat used for transporting stolen crude; 26-year-old Amadi Glory from Omuma LGA, who was waiting to purchase the stolen crude; and 32-year-old Ebere Chioma, an indigene of Etche LGA, who worked as a boiler at the illicit site.
“With the eagle eye of the Squad, three suspects have been arrested for their involvement in crude oil theft and vandalism,” DCC Appolos stated.
During the sting operation, several exhibits were dismantled, including multiple three-in-one drum ovens, two-in-one ovens, a single drum, and various other tools used in the illegal refining process.
Authorities also discovered over 100,000 litres of siphoned crude oil, stored in cellophane bags and loaded into local ovens.
The suspects will face charges in court following a thorough investigation.