By Palma Ileye
Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have impounded 70,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Eleme axis of Portharcourt, Rivers State.
The stolen crude oil was impounded by the Special Intelligence Squad, established by the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Audi.
A press release issued by CSC Afolabi Babawale, the Corps’ National Spokesperson, noted that the operatives were acting on the Commandant General’s marching order to forestall incidents of pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft and illegal dealings in petroleum products in the Niger Delta
He explained in a swift response to an Intelligence tip-off, the Squad impounded a long Caravan Truck with an in-built tank fully loaded with stolen crude oil.
According to the statement, the truck with the stolen crude was sighted while on transit around Eleme flyover in Elelewon, Port Harcourt and was impounded by the CG’S SIS.
According to him, the Commandant the Special Squad, Sani Dandaura hinted that his men were swiftly deployed to the crime scene and upon arrival they impounded a red head navy blue colour container truck with Registration number AGL574XY which was fully loaded with siphoned stolen crude illegally drawn from vandalised well-heads and destroyed pipelines.
Dandaura relayed that the conveyers of the truck took to their heels as the operatives approached the scene of the crime.
He noted that the exhibits were already confiscated as investigative process have been launched to track down the syndicate who perpetrated such a heinous act of economic sabotage.
“For the records, the exhibits recovered at the point of arrest are: A red head and navy blue colour container with 10 tyres (Reg.no AGL564-XL), an estimated content of about 70,000 litres of stolen crude.
“Hence at expiration of a thorough investigation, the NSCDC would file for forfeiture of the mode of conveyance and the contents at the court of competent jurisdiction thereafter, the proceeds would be remitted to the Proceeds of Crime Account, POCA”, he added.
