The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Rivers State Command, said it has uncovered an illegal crude oil bunkering site at Curton Channel I in Degema local Government Area of the state.
The Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the corps, Mr. Olufemi Ayodele, also told National Point in an exclusive interview that the 10 people arrested for illegal bunkering activities have been charged to court.
Ayodele said the command would not rest until they have stamped out illegal bunkering in the state.
He said, “The state commandant of the NSCDC, Basil Okebueze, is a man full of determination and one of his pivotal agenda upon assumption of office is to ensure that the menace of illegal bunkering activities is put to a stop in Rivers State on the land and waterways. We have not relented. Before the yuletide we paraded over 10 suspects arrested for illegal oil bunkering activities and they are currently standing trial before a court of competent jurisdiction.”
Ayodele revealed how the marine unit of the command uncovered an illegal bunkering site located at Curton Channel I in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He said, “On Monday, January 22, 2024, the marine unit of the command uncovered an illegal oil bunkering site located at Curton Channel I in Degema Local Government Area base on credible intelligence that illegal bunkering activities are been perpetrated in that particular location.
“The marine unit swung into action. They took charge of that environment and upon the order received from the state commandant, all the materials, items, cooking pots and pipes that were met on ground were dismantled.
“These unscrupulous elements vandalized Sahara Oil Wellhead. Having done that, they started siphoning crude and processing it locally. We took charge of the area and in order to frustrate their activities and prevent such act from taking place, we are still taking charge and we are ensuring that constant patrol takes place in that area.”
The NSCDC PRO said the commandant-general of the NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi when he visited Rivers State in December had vowed that any officer of the corps caught aiding or abetting illegal oil bunkering would be shown the way out.
“Our job is to safeguard critical national assets and infrastructure of the state and ensure that crime and criminality are brought under control. We cannot do it alone therefore, we have strong synergy with other sister agencies. We formed a joint task force, working towards the same goal to ensure that Rivers State is safe haven for the citizens,” he said.
The NSCDC spokesperson called on the general public to furnish the corps with credible and timely information because the havoc illegal refineries are working to the environment was shocking.
“In fact, there is no good these activities are doing at all. Kpo-fire degrades our environment, the environment is polluted, the aquatic lives are eroded, we cannot enjoy good air, the water is polluted, the land is polluted. That is why we must join hands together to ensure that we curb the activities of illegal bunkerers.
“We must consciously determine that our environment deserves to be protected; to be kept clean and be kept safe so that we can all breathe in good air.”
