By Aaior K. Comfort
Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have successfully uncovered and dismantled an illegal bunkering site hidden in the forests of Rivers State. The operation, led by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’SIS), took place in the Umuedeokwara Community, Etche Local Government Area.

Deputy Commandant Appolos Dandaura, head of the Special Intelligence Squad, revealed that the operation was the result of sustained intelligence, which pointed to the existence of an illegal refinery operated by criminal elements in the area.

“Our operations are intelligence-based, and we value every piece of information we receive while preserving the integrity of our informants,” Dandaura stated. “Upon receiving the tip, we combed the entire forest and discovered the illegal refinery where the suspects were refining crude oil locally. The crude was stored in large trampoline reservoirs and packaged in cellophane bags and sacks.”

The illegal operation was reportedly well-equipped, with the suspects using fabricated and galvanized metallic pipes connected to the trunk lines of multinational oil pipeline installations. The pipes had inserted valves that facilitated the siphoning of crude oil.

Despite the successful raid, the suspects managed to escape through the creeks, taking advantage of the difficult terrain. However, the NSCDC team recovered approximately 20,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) stored in cellophane bags. They also seized large quantities of siphoned crude oil stored in tarpaulin reservoirs, various sizes of aluminium and plastic buckets, galvanized metallic fabricated pipes, heavy-duty industrial hoses, and items of clothing belonging to the suspects.

In a statement signed by the Corps’ Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, Deputy Commandant Dandaura reaffirmed the NSCDC’s commitment to eradicating oil theft in the Niger Delta region. He emphasized that the fight against illegal petroleum product dealings would continue unabated, with economic saboteurs facing the full force of the law.