The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) has made a significant breakthrough in the fight against crude oil theft, uncovering an illegal refinery site in Odagwa Forest, Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.
In an operation conducted in the early hours of Monday, the NSCDC arrested five suspects believed to be involved in illegal activities at the site.
According to Olufemi Ayodele, the NSCDC Public Relations Officer for Rivers State Command, the discovery was made possible through credible intelligence gathered by the Commandant General Anti Vandal Team. The suspects, who were apprehended during the raid, are accused of vandalizing a wellhead belonging to an oil production company nearby.
The illegal activities at the site involved making illegal connections to the vandalized wellhead to siphon crude oil into holding wells. From there, the crude oil was channeled to various illegal refining pots within the site.
Ayodele stated that although the exact quantity of siphoned crude oil could not be determined, some of the refining pots were capable of producing up to 60,000 liters per day.
The operation, conducted without compromise, underscores the NSCDC’s commitment to combatting crude oil theft nationwide. Ayodele emphasized that the discovery of the illegal refinery site is a significant achievement in the ongoing efforts to curb illegal refining and crude oil theft in Rivers State.
The NSCDC plans to destroy the site and confiscate the petroleum products found, while the arrested suspects will face charges in court. With seven illegal refining pots and several crude oil holding wells discovered, the NSCDC continues its vigilance against illicit activities in the region.
