NSCDC Arrests 11, Destroys 29 illegal Refineries In Bayelsa (Photo)

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Bayelsa State Command, has arrested 11 suspected oil criminals and destroyed 29 illegal refineries in the state.

The state Commandant, NSCDC, Mr. Desmond Agu, stated this on Tuesday at the headquarters of the corps in Yenagoa, the state capital, while parading the suspects.

Agu said the command also arrested and intercepted vehicles used for conveying the stolen products.

He stressed that the suspects, in a bid to evade arrest by security operatives, allegedly put the products, suspected to be petrol and diesel, in nylon bags and stored them in sacks.

He, however, said based on intelligence information, the operatives of the corps were able to apprehend the suspects and intercept the stolen products.

The commandant gave the names of the suspects as E. Nelly, B. Woyengimienbi, T. Lucky, Anomo Timifagha, W. Michael, B. Michael, T. Matthias, S. Ngozi, T. Matthew, A. Peter  and A. Sam.

He said the suspects were held in the custody of the command for further  investigation.

He said the suspects would be charged to court after preliminary investigation.

Agu stated that the destruction of the 29 illegal refineries were carried out in Otuo, Oyeregbene, Igbomatoru, Azuzuama, Korokorosei and Ukparatubu communities of the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

He reiterated the command’s zero tolerance for vandalism, sabotage of public facilities, particularly critical national assets, warning criminals to desist from such acts in their own interest, and look for other lawful businesses.

Agu added that in the command’s efforts to stop people from crime and keep faith with the rule of law, it had been pursuing many cases against suspects in court.