The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has pledged to intensify its fight against oil theft and pipeline vandalism, vowing to identify and prosecute the sponsors of these illegal activities in line with the country’s laws.
NSCDC Commandant General, Dr. Ahmed Audi, made this commitment on Monday, reaffirming the Corps’ resolve to combat oil theft, vandalism, and economic sabotage in the oil sector. Speaking through the National Public Relations Officer, Afolabi Babawale, Audi condemned the recent illegal activities uncovered in Odagwa community, Etche Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State. He stated that the NSCDC’s Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS) had successfully dismantled the illegal operations and would pursue those responsible to ensure they face justice.
Audi underscored his determination to root out individuals profiting from illegal dealings in petroleum products following his operational tour of the Niger Delta, where he assessed key oil installations and anti-vandal operations in the region’s waterways.
He commended the CG’s SIS, led by Commandant Apollo Dandaura, for its significant achievements in tackling crude oil theft, including the dismantling of over 65 illegal oil dumps and refineries in recent months.
“While monitoring oil installations and facilities across the Niger Delta, our operatives responded to an intelligence tip-off about an organised illegal refining operation in the creeks of Odagwa Community in Etche LGA,” Audi stated.
“Upon arrival, the squad discovered that vandals had connected pipes to the main oil trunk line, diverting crude oil into reservoirs for illegal refining. The crude was processed into Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), packaged in cellophane bags and kegs for distribution. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled, leaving behind the illegal refining setup and processed products.”
Recovered exhibits included large quantities of stolen crude oil packaged in cellophane bags and kegs, materials used for illegal refining, galvanised metal pipes, metal buckets, and personal items abandoned at the scene. The illegal refining setup was dismantled.
Dr. Audi urged the public to continue providing credible intelligence to the Corps, assuring that the suspects will be apprehended, thoroughly investigated, and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
