The Anambra State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has apprehended three suspected oil thieves operating in the state.
Olatunde Maku, the state commandant of the NSCDC, while parading the suspects on Friday, March 29, promised to step up the fight against crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering, and petroleum products black market racketeering in Anambra.
Maku affirmed that the action was carried out by the joint work team of the anti-vandalism squad of the command, headed by ACC Chinenye Chinweze and the Nigerian Navy.
He opined that the three suspects, Emeka Chukwuma,'m’ aged 34, from Akili-Ozizor, Ogbaru; Okechukwu Okeke,'m’ aged 28, from Ojoto, Idemili South, both in Anambra State; and Ifunanya Ike,'m’ aged 29, of Mbano, Imo State, respectively, were apprehended on March 28, 2024, along Atani Road in Odekpe community in Ogbaru.
They were carrying 65 kegs of 25 litres each of suspected adulterated automotive gas oil, estimated to be about 1,625 litres, in two shuttle buses: one ash-coloured bus with registration number Anambra GDD277XB and a white-coloured bus with plate number Anambra AWK 429 XY.
The initial investigation carried out disclosed that the illegally refined products were loaded at Ogbakuma community and conveyed to Okoti community, both in Ogbaru, Anambra.
Maku applauded the Nigerian Navy for their assistance in the fight against robbery in the state, stressing that this type of partnership is what is needed to wage a full-scale war against offenders of the heinous crime.
He also noted that the NSCDC, as the “lead the way agency" in the defence of important national assets and infrastructure, remained concentrated on freeing Anambra State of illegal petroleum products and other related criminalities.
