The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has seized a truck carrying about 70,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Rivers State Port Harcourt.
The National Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, Afolabi Babawale, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday Abuja.
Babawale said the Commander-in-Chief’s Special Intelligence Squad (CGS SIS) intercepted the truck based on a tip-off near the Elelewon Eleme flyover.
“The truck was spotted while travelling near the Elelewon Eleme flyover and Port Harcourt was subsequently seized by the CGS SIS,” He also quoted the squad leader, AS Dandaura, who confirmed that his team was immediately dispatched to the scene of a red, navy blue container truck with registration number AGL574XY.
The truck had a tank inside which was filled with crude oil pumped from destroyed wells and pipelines.
However, Babawale said the occupants of the truck fled upon seeing the security forces.
“Upon arrival, they seized a red, navy blue container truck with registration number AGL574XY.
“The truck was loaded with crude oil illegally pumped from destroyed wells and pipelines.
“However, when the operatives approached the scene, the occupants of the truck fled,”
,” Baba Wale explained.Baba Wale disclosed that an investigation had been launched to find the criminal syndicate behind the oil theft, describing the act as economic sabotage.
“FYI: Evidence recovered during the arrest included a red and navy blue 10-tyre container truck (registration number AGL574XY) containing approximately 70,000 litres of stolen crude oil,”
he added.He also stated that the NSCDC would apply to the competent court for the confiscation of the truck and its contents and the proceeds from the sale to be deposited into the Proceeds of Crime Account (POCA).
The CGS SIS Commander reiterated the group’s commitment to combating crude oil theft and illegal trafficking of petroleum products throughout the
region, warning that those involved in this criminal activity would face the full wrath of the law.Niger Delta
Crude oil theft in theNiger Delta region poses a major challenge to the Nigerian oil and gas industry, costing the country millions of dollars in revenue and investment losses.