By Rita Enemuru, Reporting
OPERATIVES of the Nigeria Police Force have seized 132 oil tankers and arrested an 18-year-old and three other suspected illegal oil dealers in Delta and River states.
The suspect, identified as Happy Gift Lawson together with one Ejime Precious Lande and John Jugu Fom, were arrested with the recovery of illegal refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) stuffed in 138 sacks, 10 empty surface tanks (ovens) used as cooking pots, 20 empty drums for storage, a boat engine and two pumping machines in Delta State.
This was made known in a report by the Inspector General General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, while briefing the Senate Ad-hoc Committee to Investigate Oil Lifting, Theft and the Impact on Petroleum Production and Oil Revenues on Wednesday, September 21, 2022.
According to the report, which is contained in a statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the suspects’ arrest was part of the accomplishments of the Police Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering, the Unit charged with the responsibility of tackling crimes crude oil bunkery.
The statement listed some of the achievements of the Force to include the seizure of 1,301,020 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 135,000 litres of crude oil, 4,900 litres of premium motor spirit (PMS), 45,000 litres of engine oil, and 123 Tankers.
One of the suspects, Franklin Osuagwu who was arrested in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was connected to a warehouse containing about 15000 litres of petroleum products suspected to be illegally refined AGO stuffed in sacks, white Mack Tanker, a plastic storage tank, barrel drum, and a pumping machine.
While Samples of the recovered products were collected for laboratory analysis, the arrested suspects will be charged to court on conclusion of investigations for effective prosecution in line with extant laws.
The IGP in his briefing reiterated the commitment of the force in improving the development of its officers to sustain the fight against oil theft and other crimes capable of sabotaging the country’s economy.
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