The State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Rivers State Command, Basil Igwebueze has declared relentless war against illegal oil bunkering activities and other ravaging crimes in Rivers State.
Commandant Igwebueze lamented that in spite of the continuous fight against oil theft, some unscrupulous elements have determined not to repent in sabotaging the nation’s economy.
The Commandant was speaking after operatives of the command burst an illegal oil refinery site under construction at Umuechem in Etche Local Government Area.
During the raid, the operatives uncovered some fabricated equipment used at the illegal refinery Site which include two 20,000 litres capacity Receiver open Tank, two 25,000 litres Cooking Oven (Pot) and two 4 inches galvanized pipes of about 400 meters in length.
Igwebueze hinted that the Command based on credible Intelligence took actionable step to cordon off the area where the illegal local refinery was constructed.
“We got a credible Intelligence that there is an illegal refining operation going on at the site.
“The Command’s Anti-vandal Unit took a proactive step and swung into action by capturing the environment to forestall all activities of illegal dealings in petroleum products in the area.
“As you can see, this illegal refinery is located in a thick bush showing how defiant and desperate the oil thieves can be.
“Recall that the activities of local refineries has often led to Environmental degradation, pollution and Health hazards and we will not tolerate that henceforth,” he said.
The Rivers NSCDC helmsman said, under his watch the command will continue to solicit for more sustained and credible Intelligence that would assist in nipping at the bud such nefarious activities.
He further assured that the informants would be adequately protected even as the Command keep waging war against Oil theft and illegal oil bunkering activities in Rivers State.
