The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has apprehended two suspects for illegally tampering with crude oil pipelines and siphoning over 100,000 litres of oil along Umuhololo/Etitiuzor Road, Owaza, in Ukwa-West Local Government Area of Abia State.
In a statement issued on Saturday, NSCDC spokesperson Babawale Afolabi confirmed that the arrests were made by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS) as part of ongoing efforts to combat economic sabotage.
The suspects, identified as Chukwuekpe Okeke (40) and Kingsley Madubuachi (31), an alleged member of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, were apprehended in the early hours of Friday following credible intelligence reports.
According to the statement, operatives discovered a large-scale oil theft operation at the scene. Stolen crude oil, estimated at 100,000 litres, was found stored in cellophane containers, having been siphoned through an illicitly connected network of industrial hoses. The oil was transported to a hidden reservoir within the forest, where a dug-in pit served as a discharge point.
The suspects have reportedly confessed to their involvement in the operation. Meanwhile, the NSCDC has notified the pipeline maintenance team, which has since sealed the compromised section.
Recovered exhibits from the operation include:
- Industrial hoses of varying sizes (4 to 8 inches)
- Plastic buckets and control valves used for illegal siphoning
- A Legend XYM SYM black motorcycle
- A Tecno button phone
- Footwear belonging to accomplices who fled the scene
Commending members of the public for providing crucial intelligence, NSCDC Commandant General Dr. Ahmed Audi urged continued cooperation with security agencies to curb oil theft and other economic crimes. He reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s critical infrastructure and bringing perpetrators of economic sabotage to justice.
