NSCDC nabs illegal crude oil refining site in Rivers
A massive dump site used to store illicit crude oil and processed petroleum products was found in the Agbada Community in River State by officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, giving the fight against oil theft in Nigeria a boost.
The discovery is the most recent in Nigeria’s battle against pipeline vandalism, illicit refineries, and oil theft in the Niger Delta, which has severely hampered the country’s crude oil revenues.
According to estimates, less than two kilometers from the neighborhood near Heirs Oil and Gas owned by Tony Elumelu, there were approximately 10 plots of walled waste sites with 170 surface industrial tanks of 1,000 litres apiece and two metal storage tanks of about 5,500 capacity.
Rivers State NSCDC Commander, Michael Ogar, confirmed this to reporters, saying the Special Forces Anti-Sabotage Unit followed the lead and discovered the facility. About four people, including a porter and a supervisor, were arrested. The commander expressed concern about the site’s proximity to Agbada, his flow station and said a thorough investigation had been launched.
He said the site was sealed and taken over by NSCDC officials, with ownership confiscated by the Nigerian government. He said he would hand over ownership to the federal government. A suspect arrested at the scene denied involvement in the oil theft and said he was doing legitimate business there.
