NSCDC nabs 16-year-old, others for operating illegal refinery in Kogi

THE Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) in Kogi State ‎has paraded a 16-year-old boy and three others for alleged ownership of an illegal refinery in Ebiya, Ajaokuta Local Council of the state.

The Public Relations Officer, PRO, in the state Command, Mr. Tijani Ibrahim, who briefed newsmen in Lokoja, said the command has been on their trail for the past three months before they were arrested last week.

Ibrahim further explained that the refinery was initially burnt down upon discovery, however, the gang staged a come-back to re-build it and started refining crude oil as well as conveying the products to Nagazi in Adavi Local Council of the state for sale.

The Command spokesman who gave their names as Sumaila Sadu, 23, Yusufu Braimoh, 21, Raji Muhammed Jamiu, 24, and Simon Chokodi, 16- a minor, added that the buyer is presently at large. Chokodi, an indigene of Edo State who spoke to journalists, said he was a bus conductor.

He said that they were hired by the bunkerers to help them transport the refined crude oil to the market destination, stressing that he never knew the implication and gravity of the offence. The Command recovered a van and some drums of crude oils from the scene.