The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (SIS) has arrested three women for their involvement in oil pipeline vandalism, oil theft, and illegal petroleum product dealings in Umuajuloke town, Omuma LGA, Rivers State.
In a statement released on Sunday, SIS Commander DC Apollo Dandaura revealed that the arrest was made possible through sustained intelligence indicating the presence of an illegal oil refinery at the crime scene. Upon investigation, a large quantity of illegally refined petroleum products, suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), was discovered.
Dandaura stated, “Based on credible intelligence, we swung into action and arrested three suspects at the crime scene with large quantities of illegally refined AGO stored inside metallic drums, while others were inside cellophane bags.”
The arrested suspects have been identified as Happiness Nwankwo, 45, Nnoma Nwankwo, 30, and Favour Amadi, all residents of Omuma in Rivers State.
Items found at the scene included galvanized metal pipes, industrial hoses used for tapping into well-heads to siphon crude oil, large quantities of stolen crude oil stored in cellophane bags and kegs, as well as metal and plastic buckets, wheelbarrows, shovels, and multiple drum ovens processing and siphoned crude oil.
Dandaura added that an investigation is underway to determine the extent of the suspects’ involvement and identify their sponsors.
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