Suspects Producing Adulterated Diesel, Kerosene Arrested In Abia
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested four suspects in the Ugbomuenedu Uzuaku forest in Ukwa West LGA of Abia State, in connection with pipeline vandalism, illegal dealings in petroleum products, and operating an unauthorized local refinery.
A statement issued on Tuesday by the NSCDC spokesman, CSC Afolabi Babawale, said the arrests were made by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG SIS) following a tip-off on illicit oil refining activities occurring at the forest.
According to the CG SIS Commander, Apollos Dandaura, they discovered the illegal bunkering operation within the swampy creek.
Dandaura stated that the operatives found several drums used to process stolen crude oil into adulterated Automobile Gas Oil (AGO) and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), and distributed to prospective buyers.
“He hinted that the operatives stormed the swampy creek and discovered the ongoing illegal bunkering activities with multiple local drum ovens that were locally processing crude oil into adulterated Automobile Gas Oil( AGO) and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), already processed and stored inside jerry cans for onward conveyance to would-be buyers and consumers,” the statement partly read.
The suspects include 58-year-old Silvius Irihiveme, alleged to be the owner and operator of the local refining ovens; Solomon Chinagom, 29, the site’s custodian and grant collector; Victor Chinedu Emmanuel, 31, and Chika Emmanuel Nnaji, 45.
Some items recovered as exhibits from the site include dug-in reservoirs used to store siphoned crude oil, metallic galvanized pipes for illegal connections, jerry cans filled with processed AGO and DPK, and ten fabricated two-in-one drum ovens used in the crude refining process.
The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has ordered a full investigation into the incident after which the suspects will be prosecuted.
Suspects Producing Adulterated Diesel, Kerosene Arrested In Abia is first published on The Whistler Newspaper