Crime

NSCDC Arrests Three Women for Oil Theft and Pipeline Vandalism in Rivers State

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 15th, 2024.

NSCDC Arrests Three Women for Oil Theft and Pipeline Vandalism in Rivers State

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has apprehended three women in connection with oil pipeline vandalism, oil theft, and illegal petroleum activities in the Umuodo, Umuajuloke community of Omuma Local Government Area, Rivers State. This operation was carried out by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad.

CSC Babawale Afolabi, Public Relations Officer at the NSCDC national headquarters in Abuja, announced the arrests on Sunday. He credited the successful operation to sustained intelligence, which revealed the presence of an illegal oil refinery at the location. Numerous quantities of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were found at the scene.

“Based on credible intelligence, we acted swiftly and apprehended three suspects at the scene, where large amounts of illegally refined AGO were stored in metallic drums and cellophane bags,” Afolabi stated.

The arrested individuals, all women, were identified as Happiness Nwankwo, 45, and Nnoma Nwankwo, 30, both from Omuma in Rivers State, along with Favour Amadi, also from Omuma.

Recovered items included numerous drum ovens containing stolen and processed crude oil, industrial hoses used to siphon crude oil from wellheads, and large quantities of stolen crude oil stored in cellophane bags and kegs. Other items found included metal and plastic buckets, wheelbarrows, shovels, and galvanized metal pipes.

The NSCDC has launched an investigation to determine the extent of the suspects’ involvement and identify their sponsors. Those found culpable will face prosecution.