The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has discovered an illegal refinery operation hidden in the thick forest of Umuedeokwara Community, Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’SIS) found that stolen crude oil was being diverted, stored in reservoirs, and locally refined at the site.
According to a press statement released on Tuesday by the NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Afolabi Babawale, the operation was based on sustained intelligence efforts. Deputy Commandant Appolos Dandaura, the CG’SIS Commander, stated that the squad identified the illegal activities of a criminal gang at the scene.
“Our operations are intelligence-based, and we value every piece of information from our informants,” said Dandaura. “Upon action, we combed the forest and discovered the suspects refining crude oil locally, storing it in large trampoline reservoirs, and packaging it in cellophane bags and sacks.”
The suspects, who connected metallic pipes to the trunk lines of multinational oil pipeline installations using valves, fled through the creeks upon spotting NSCDC operatives. Items recovered at the scene included approximately 20,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), large quantities of siphoned crude oil stored in tarpaulin reservoirs, various buckets, fabricated pipes, industrial hoses, and clothing belonging to the suspects.
Appolos highlighted the commitment of the NSCDC Commandant General, Dr. Ahmed Audi, to combat illegal bunkering, increase national oil production, and thwart economic sabotage. He emphasized that the fight against illegal dealings in petroleum products remains uncompromising, with the CG’SIS determined to continue its efforts to eradicate crude oil theft nationwide.
