Five trucks have been seized by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Rivers, and a suspect in an alleged oil theft has been detained.

This was said by the State Commandant of the Corps, Michael Ogar, in a statement released on Friday in Port Harcourt by the Corps Spokesperson, Olufemi Ayodele.

He said that the trucks were seized because they were transporting petroleum products without the necessary permits and paperwork.

The suspect, 20-year-old Abubakar Suleiman, was detained in Port Harcourt for transporting unlawfully processed goods on a truck, according to the commandant.

‘’ Based on persistent intelligence, our anti-vandal squad apprehended a suspect who stored petroleum goods into covert tanks on the truck and covered them with animal feeds to divert security personnel’s attention.

“However, thanks to the keen eyes of our personnel, the products were found, the truck was seized, and the suspect was apprehended.

We also impounded a large vehicle with the registration number OGUN DED 643 XB after receiving a tip. When they saw our men, the suspects fled,” he claimed.

According to Ogar, the truck was transporting illegally refined automotive gas oil in packs of noodles.

‘’ The Rivers Joint Task Force, made up of the Nigerian Army, the Navy, the Air force, the Police, and the NSCDC, detained three trucks for trafficking illegally refined petroleum products when they were on routine patrol at Mbiama in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

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We seized a white vehicle with the license plate AFM 604 XA that was carrying an estimated 54,000 liters of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as gasoline.

A white IVECO vehicle with the license plate DKA 374 XE was also seized while transporting PMS, which has a value of about 52,000 liters, according to Ogar.

The remaining three trucks were brought to the Command’s exhibit yard at Ogbogoro jetty, according to Ogar, who also reported that another truck carrying 36,000 liters of PMS was confiscated.

‘’ I’d like to take this occasion to reaffirm that we will continue to battle oil theft and illegal petroleum product trade in Rivers.

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As a result, the NSCDC Rivers Command will keep working with the necessary security organizations to eradicate illegal oil bunkering throughout the state.

“I can promise you that the suspect would face charges in court following a thorough investigation, while the tankers and their contents would be forfeited to the federal government.

I also want to issue a warning that those who have refused to turn away from committing such a horrific crime would be subject to the full wrath of the law in Rivers State, the speaker continued.

NAN