NSCDC nabs 7 operators of illegal oil dumps

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested seven suspects for their alleged involvement in operating seven illegal oil dumps in Jahi/Katampe area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

This was confirmed in statement on Thursday by the spokesman of the NSCDC, Afolabi Babawale read: “Following the directive of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi mni OFR; on relentless crackdown against oil thieves across the federation; the CG Special Intelligence Squad (CG SIS) has arrested 7 suspects for their alleged involvement in operating 7 illegal oil Dumps in Jahi/Katampe ; Federal Capital Territory FCT, Abuja.”

Babawale added that in a comprehensive interview with the CG SIS Commander, Apollo Dandaura, he said the operation that led to the arrests was a well coordinated raid based on credible intelligence tip-off that some suspected vandals are engaging in illegal refining of petroleum products.

He said: “Acting on the Intelligence received my men and I swung into action and uncovered 5 illegal oil dumps out of the 7 raided.

The suspects arrested during the sting operations are: Akande Olusola (M) 48 years, Anas Usman (M) 33years, Jonathan Onekutu (M) 45years, Uchenna Kelechi (M) 44years, Chukwuma Solomon (M) 37, Monday Israel (M) 34years and Bello (M) 33years.

He said among the exhibits retrieved at the crime scene include a white colour truck with Reg. no. GYA-777XA with three (3} compartments fully loaded with 45,000ltrs of AGO with an unverifiable WayBill seen at the illegal dump; Mercedes Benz Short Peddler Truck 1202 model with Reg. no FST-425XB; Four Short Peddler trucks with Reg. RSH-197ZANSR-27YW while 2 others are without visible Reg. Number; White Colour DAF CF KSF161XQ; MAN Diesel Short Truck KWL-241XA; Volkswagen Bus RBC-140XF; Red and white color DAF CF; Short peddler truck with Reg. no RBC431XG; Mercedes Benz 1831 model short peddler Truck ABJ 647XD, among others.

The CG SIS Boss, Commandant Dandaura hinted that the NSCDC would approach the court of competent jurisdiction through its Legal Department and due diligence would be observed in the investigation and prosecution process to serve as deterrent to others.