By Ikemefuna Asika
The State Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence, Anambra State Command, Olatunde Maku has vowed to step up the fight against crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering and petroleum products black market racketeering in Anambra State.
The NSCDC boss gave the assurance while parading three suspects and exhibits recovered from them by the Joint Operating Team of Anti- Vandalism Squad of the Command headed by ACC Chinenye Chinweze and the Nigerian Navy at the Command’s headquarters in Awka.
According to him, the three suspects: Okechukwu Okeke ‘m’ aged 28 from Ojoto, Idemili South LGA , Emeka Chukwuma ‘m’ aged 34 from Akili – Ozizor, Ogbaru LGA both in Anambra State and Ifunanya Ike ‘m’ aged 29 of Mbano LGA of Imo State were arrested on Thursday, along Atani road , Odekpe in Ogbaru LGA conveying 65 kegs of 25 litres each of suspected adulterated Automotive Gas Oil ( AGO) estimated to be about 1,625 litres in two shuttle buses, with plate numbers Anambra AWK 429 XY and Anambra GDD 277 XB .
Preliminary investigation carried out revealed the illegally refined products were loaded at Ogbakuma Community and headed to Okoti Community both in Ogbaru LGA of Anambra.
Maku said the arrest was made possible due to the collaborative effort between the NSCDC and Nigerian Navy and vowed to leverage on the existing relationship to rid the state of illegal oil bunkering, a threat to the nation’s economy.
“I want to commend the Nigerian Navy for their support in the fight against criminality in the state. This type of synergy is what is needed to wage a full-scale war against perpetrators of the heinous crime.
“NSCDC as the lead agency in the protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure, as well as the prosecuting agency is known for its zero tolerance in crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities.
“We remain focused in freeing Anambra State of illegal petroleum products racketeering and other related criminalities” he concluded.
Maku reiterated that upon completion of investigation, the suspects would be charged to court .
He called on members of the public to assist the command in its renewed vigour to stamp out illegal oil refining activities in the State through provision of actionable intelligence on illegal oil bunkering activities within their communities.
