The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Rivers State Command, has nabbed 19 suspected oil thieves from different parts of the state.

The state Commandant, Michael Ogar, who paraded  the suspects on Monday in Port Harcourt, decried the defiant attitude of oil thieves and those engaged in illegal bunkering activities.

He lamented that despite continuous sensitisation and relentless war against economic sabotage, persons involved in the criminality had refused to change their ways.

Ogar said following the reconstitution of a new anti-vandal team of the command, the marine and land patrol operatives commenced full operations with a renewed vigour, professionalism and tactics to tackle vandalism and oil theft.

He said four suspects were arrested with one big wooden boat and a 40HP outboard engine along Bakana River close to Bakana Community in Degema Local Government Area of the state.

He said three suspects were apprehended with one wooden boat laden with 10,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 40HP outboard engine used for propelling the boat.

Ogar explained that during all night tactical operations, the team nabbed  two other suspects with one wooden boat, 25 drums (6,250 litres) of illegal refined AGO and 15HP outboard engine.

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He said following a tip-off, the anti-vandal unit also uncovered a building used as a dump site for locally refined AGO along Cornerstone Junction in Ogbogoro, Obio Akpo Local Government Area.

“We discovered an underground tanker containing unquantified litres of locally refined AGO, a plastic tank containing about 3,500 litres of AGO and a pumping machine. The entire compound is now under seal and manned  by our personnel while the command will continue to chase the culprits tiil they are arrested and prosecuted accordingly,” he said.

Ogar further said five suspects were arrested at Oyakama community in Ahoada West LGA and Njemanze street in Port Harcourt.

He said they were conveying 7500 litres of illegally refined AGO in four different vehicles with 5000 of the products concealed and sack bags.

He said: “Another building close to Akpos Jetty in Abuloma community in Port Harcourt was also uncovered while the Suspects took to their heels upon sighting the NSCDC operatives.

“A short green and white colour DAF CF 250 truck  laden with illegally refined AGO and pumping machine were recovered as exhibits”.

Ogar added that the land latrol team also arrested five suspects along Agwu/ Elechi street  with 800 litres of AGO and a truck branded liquid bulk with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

He said: “This was followed by the arrest of Ifeanyi Nwauwa 43years along Azikiwe road who was in conveyance of One (1) Gold colour Toyota Camry with number plate ABUJA HX 937 ABC laden with Illegally refined AGO.

“To serve as deterrent to those still getting involved in this unscrupulous and illegitimate business, all the arrested suspects would be charged to court of competent jurisdiction while the Command would do everything possible to unravel, chase and apprehend their sponsors.

“The Command will further approach the court with application for forfeitures of both the contents and the mode of conveyance and the proceeds would definitely be remitted in the federal government coffers.

“Let me reiterate our commitment to the war against oil theft and illegal dealings in petroleum products in Rivers State. The perpetrators should either relocate or risk facing the full wrath of the law”.