The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Rivers State apprehended five individuals at illicit bunkering sites in Odagwa community, Etche Local Government Area. The spokesperson, Olufemi Ayodele, revealed that the sites housed 10 refineries with approximately 500,000 litres of crude oil stored in 50 illegal reservoirs. Ayodele emphasized the NSCDC's ongoing efforts to combat crude oil theft, illegal mining, and unlawful petroleum product transactions.
Acting on reliable intelligence, the Commandant-General’s Special Intelligence Squad (SIS) discovered the illegal refineries in a forest within Odagwa Community. Five suspects were caught in the act of illegally refining crude oil. During the operation, authorities found ten large cooking pots, a sizable pumping machine, receiver tanks, 25 rubber hoses for oil pumping, and numerous galvanized pipes. Additionally, they discovered unquantified volumes of crude oil and refined Automotive Gas Oil stored in six large and 20 smaller reservoirs.
The apprehended suspects, identified as Favour Chukwu, Desmond Umeh, Godwin Amos, Bineace Galion, and Goodnews David, have been transferred to the police for further investigation and prosecution. The NSCDC reiterated its commitment to curbing illegal activities in the region and protecting valuable resources.
