Oil theft: NSCDC receives six suspects, boats from Navy
Port Harcourt -- The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has taken six suspected oil thieves and 12 boats laden with suspected illegally refined petroleum products from the Nigerian Navy.
Taking over the suspects and exhibits from NNS Pathfinder in Port Harcourt, the NSCDC Commandant in Rivers State, Abu Abdu Tambuwal, called for stronger inter-agency alliance among security operatives in the fight against oil theft.
Tambuwal, who expressed displeasure over the economic waste which oil theft has caused the nation, restated the resolve of the Command and the charge by Commandant General of NSCDC to put a stop to illegal oil bunkering activities in the state.
He commended the Nigerian Navy for the arrest of the suspects and harped on the need to strengthen collaboration especially in training as well as marine operations.
The suspects and exhibits were handed over to NSCDC for further investigation and prosecution as the agency with the mandate to prosecute perpetrators of oil theft.
Earlier, while handing over the suspects, the Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Oluwaseyi Akano, described the synergy between the Navy and NSCDC as encouraging, maintaining that the relationship will continue.
Giving details of the arrest and seizures, the Base Operations Officer, NNS Pathfinder, Commander Umaru Sidi, attributed the feat to the launch of Operation River Dominance, which entailed constant monitoring of activities on the water ways and creeks up to Cawthorne Channel in Bonny, Rivers State.
Sidi commended the efforts of Rivers State government in pulling forces together from all stakeholders to stamp out oil theft and illegal oil bunkering activities in the state.