Special Intelligence Squad, (SIS), of the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), said that it has uncovered massive crude oil theft at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, (NNPC), a main trunk at Otulu community in Egbema West of Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area (LGA), of Imo State
NSCDC spokesman Babawale Afolabi said a massive illegal refining site with over 95,000 illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, (AGO), as well as unquantified litres of unrefined crude already siphoned, were discovered at the site.
“Acting on credible intelligence, the CG’s SIS stormed Otulu Community in Egbema West of Ohaji/Egbema LGA of Imo State and discovered an illegal refinery covering a large expanse of land with many cooking pots,” Afolabi said in a statement.
“Illegally connected Pipes were tapping from the main oil trunk line of NNPC’ Oil Mining License, (OML), 20 assets in Egbema West field; Well 11 location with many fabricated reservoirs, drums and AGO concealed in cellophane bags.
“Upon sighting the resilient and dogged CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, the perpetrators took to their heels through the thick forests.
“Exhibits recovered at the crime scene include galvanized iron pipes, several locally fabricated metal reservoirs, constant elepaq gasoline generating set, bridge inverter and welding machine ARC 200.
“Others are electrical filing machine, several vandalized well head valves, a yellow coloured Robin GC pumping machine and packs of electrolyte.”
The corps said an investigation is ongoing to unravel the perpetrators behind the heinous crime while the exhibits recovered would be forfeited to the federal government after court’s order.
“The NSCDC hereby affirms it’s determination to relentlessly combat the menace of Vandalism and crude oil theft to a stand still across the nation,” Afolabi said.
