Vandalism: NSCDC uncovers pipeline illegal connection point in Rivers

The Special Intelligence Squad of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has discovered illegal pipeline connection points allegedly utilized by thieves to extract oil from Well Heads.

Dr. Ahmed Audi, the Commandant-General of NSCDC, revealed this discovery, emphasizing the Corps’ dedication to combating oil theft throughout the country.

A statement by the Corps Public Related Officer, Babawale Afolabi, on Monday in Abuja, said Audi spoke through the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad Commander, Dandaura Appolos.

Appolos narrated the new strategies put in place by vandals who have recently devised a covert means of operations to prevent security agencies from detecting their mischievous acts.

He said: “We were prompted by intelligence received while on intensive operational patrol across the Niger Delta. The CG’s Special Intelligence Squad swung into action and uncovered two illegal bunkering sites in different locations where illegal connections were made to siphon oil from Well Heads using very huge hoses laid and buried underground in a thick forest at Odagwa/Owaza Riverside boundaries of Rivers/Abia State and another site at Odagwa in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.

“The vandals tampered with valves of the manifold and siphoned crude at Imo River 2, Oil and Gas flow station operated by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Commission (NPDC).

“During the operations, we observed that the first local refining site had been earlier destroyed by the security agencies but was later rebuilt to contain over 5 locally fabricated ovens, drums, underground and calibrated plastic surface reservoirs with galvanized metal and heavy-duty hoses and pipes”.

ALSO READ: Kogi guber: Tribunal reserves judgment in SDP, Ajaka’s petition

“Some of the exhibits recovered are Heavy duty Hoses, Surface Tanks filled with Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), many drums and kegs, clothing and personal effects while the suspects are currently at large”.

“Storming the second illegal refining site we arrested One (1) Suspect named: John Obinna who was caught in the act; from the statements volunteered by the suspect, he hinted that his work at the site is loading and carrying crude and that other suspects who already took to their heels upon sighting our operatives were already at the verge of refining the crude oil”.

“We also sighted a 20,000 litres capacity trampoline surface reservoir where the major pipes were visibly connected”.

“The following exhibits were further recovered: One (1) new Yellow colour Robin EY 20 Pumping Machine, Blue colour heavy-duty hoses, over 5,000 litres of locally refined petroleum products in cellophane bags and reservoir, about 10,000 litres of AGO stored in a cooking oven, 2 Shovels and Spades, buckets and 4 Flash Headlights”.

“Let me at this point re-assure the public that the NSCDC remain committed to her statutory mandate as the lead agency in safeguarding all critical national assets and infrastructure across the nation”.

“The Intelligence Department has commenced a thorough investigation into the matter and the suspect in custody is currently assisting us in the ongoing investigation as the law takes its course,” the CG’s SIS Commander stated.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE