NSCDC Antivandal Uncovers Artisanal Refinery in Rivers Community
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Rivers State Command’s Antivandal Squad has made a significant discovery, uncovering a local refinery in the Adobi-Akwa settlement within the Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Led by CSC Peters Ibiso, representing Commandant Basil Igwebueze, the Antivandal Squad guided journalists through a dense forest, approximately 6-7 kilometers from the main town, where they stumbled upon the illicit operation.
The team observed how pipeline vandals had tapped into a Well Head of a yet-to-be-identified Multinational Company. Using galvanized pipes connected to numerous cooking pots, they heated crude oil to produce Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
Acting on a tip-off, NSCDC operatives swiftly acted to uncover the illegal oil bunkering site, spending two days in the forest after cordoning off the area. Although the perpetrators fled upon seeing law enforcement, investigations are ongoing to apprehend them.
The Head of the Antivandal Unit elaborated on the intricate operations of these illicit refineries, from crude extraction through pipeline vandalism to the cooking process in various ovens. The resulting product is then transferred through pipes to reservoirs for storage and eventual transloading to buyers.
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Emphasizing the commitment of the Command to combat illegal activities in the petroleum sector, he urged the public to continue providing actionable intelligence to aid in apprehending economic saboteurs in the state.
“Our dedication to working closely with the Corps’ prosecutorial mandate to eliminate economic sabotage in the state remains unwavering. We highly value the information provided by informants, and it’s essential to protect their identities to ensure their safety. We encourage the public to maintain their trust in us as we collectively safeguard the nation’s Critical National Assets and Infrastructure from brazen vandals,” he affirmed
