The Anti-Pipeline Vandalization Unit of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested eighteen suspected vandals, impounded two vessels and twenty trucks loaded with stolen petroleum products.
Parading eight of the suspects on Monday, November 7 in Abuja, the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Donald Awunah said the constant vandalization of Pipelines, destruction of oil and gas infrastructure and the illegal dealing in Petroleum products in the country have been a source of grave concern to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris.
"The massive destruction of Government investment in the Petroleum Industry and loss of lives through the criminal activities of some undesirable elements have continued unabated. Indeed, this is worrisome in light of the negative effects it has on the Country’s economy. In order to halt this trend of wanton destruction of lives and property in a critical sector of the economy, the IGP has reorganized and empowered the Anti-Pipeline Vandalization Unit of the Force to decisively tackle these criminals and their collaborators.
In coordinated operations based on credible intelligence and assistance from the key players in the petroleum sector, the Anti-Pipeline Vandalization of the Nigeria Police Force arrested eighteen (18) suspects, impounded two vessels and twenty trucks loaded with stolen petroleum products as summarized below.
CASE I: ARREST OF ELLEN AND MB OPUDA VESSELS, TEN (10) CREW MEMBERS AND EIGHTEEN (18) TANKER TRAILER TRUCKS LOADED WITH ILLEGALLY REFINED AGO (DIESEL) THROUGH ILLEGAL BUNKERING AND VANDALIZATION OF NNPC PRODUCTS
SUSPECTS:
i. Tumbiri Ezekiel ‘M’ (captain)
ii. Thomas Arimoro Azamosa ‘M’ (Company’s Representative)
iii. Godwil Offeh ‘M’ (Chief mate)
iv. Alfred Iwanefun ‘M’ (Engineer)
v. Emmanuel Uyoi ‘M’ (Deckhand)
vi. Godwin Tabiti ‘M’ (Electrician)
vii. Omokete Enengite ‘M’(Engineer Cadet)
viii. Victor Onyenike ‘M’ (Seaman)
ix. Suleiman Ahmadu ‘M’
x. William Okitikpo ‘M’
Note: The 10 suspects are in Police custody in Lagos State.
EXHIBITS:
i. Ellen Vessel
ii. MB Opuda Vessel
iii. Eighteen Trucks
On November 1st, 2016 at about 0220hrs, a sustained surveillance and monitoring of Ellen vessel and crew members sailing from Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta States water ways to Lagos State with illegally refined AGO (Diesel) on board was embarked upon by the IGP’s Task Force on Illegal Petroleum Bunkering.
Consequently, on November 3rd, 2016 at about 0830hrs, the Task Force trailed and intercepted Ellen vessel at Satomen’s Jetty located at Amuwo Odofin in Mile 2 area of Lagos State where it had discharged the illegal refined AGO (Diesel) into eighteen (18) Trucks, 33,000 liters each. The vessel, crew members, the eighteen Trucks and other suspects were promptly arrested and taken into custody by the IGP’s Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering.
In a similar development, another vessel branded MB OPUDA SHIP was also intercepted and arrested at the same Satomen’s Jetty located at Amuwo Odofin in Mile 2 area of Lagos State after discharging suspected illegally refined AGO (diesel). Investigations into these cases are ongoing and all suspects will be arraigned in court to face the law.
CASE II: ARREST OF VANDALS, RECOVERY OF TWO TANKER TRAILER TRUCKS LOADED WITH 20,000 LITRES OF ILLEGALLY REFINED AGO (DIESEL) EACH AND RECOVERY OF EQUIPMENT OF THE VANDALS.
SUSPECTS:
EXHIBITS:
i. HARISON CHINEDU ‘M’ 40 YRS
ii. MOHAMMED ABDULKADIR ‘M’ 21 YRS
iii. IDRIS BAWA ‘M’ 28 YRS
iv. EMMANUEL AKIGHIR ‘M’ 39 YRS
v. SULEIMAN MUSA ‘M’ 22 YRS
i. Two Trucks with Reg No. RGG 76 XA, YKS 108 XA loaded with 20,000 litres of illegally refined ago (diesel) each and recovery of equipment of the vandals.
all with 40,000 liters of cooked diesel.
On October 28th, 2016 at about 1600hrs, Operatives of the IGP’s Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering on a tip off stormed an illegal local refinery located at Adogu village of Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State, where two trucks were intercepted loaded with illegal AGO products 20,000 liters each. The five (5) suspects mentioned above during interrogation volunteered confessional statements and admitted to the various criminal roles they played in the commission of the crime. However, investigation into the case is being intensified to arrest other members of the group at large. Suspects will be promptly arraigned in court on completion of thorough investigation.
CASE III: FOILED VANDALIZATION OF OIL PIPELINES, RECOVERY OF A TRUCK LOADED WITH 20,000 LITERS OF AGO (DIESEL), OPERATIONAL VEHICLE OF THE VANDALS, AND EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS USED BY THE VANDALS
RECOVERED EXHIBITS:
i. One white Scania Lorry with Reg No. RBC 552 ZS (covered body)
ii. One Toyota PERVIA Bus with Reg No. EKY 659 BJ
iii. Four (4) pumping machine
iv. One big blue motor jack
v. Two motor batteries
vi. Four shovels
vii. One filling machine (yellow color)
viii. One pumping hose
ix. Two tarpaulin
On October 13th, 2016, at about 1200-hrs, intelligence gathered by the IGP’s Special Task-Force on petroleum and illegal. Bunkering revealed that vandalization of NNPC pipeline was ongoing at Monkey’s village Okpella area of Edo State, the Task Force swiftly moved in. On sighting the Police team the vandals took to their heels and abandoned a lorry and some tools used for vandalization. Investigation into the case is currently ongoing.
CASE IV: ARREST OF VANDALS IN ABIA AND KADUNA STATES AND RECOVERY OF TRUCKS LOADED WITH ILLEGALLY REFINED AGO (DIESEL)
SUSPECTS:
i. Amechi Aduma ‘M. 47 years (owner of the illegally refined product, arrested in Abia)
ii. Ezechi Peter ‘M’ 17 years ( arrested at Obaga village in Abia State)
iii. Mamud Ibrahim ‘M’ 30 years (arrested in Kaduna near NNPC depot)
EXHIBITS:
i. One Truck XB 169 GWB with 33,000 litres of cooked diesel.
ii. One truck loaded with cooked diesel
The three (3) suspects mentioned above were arrested by the IGP’s Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering in Abia and Kaduna States. The first and second suspects were arrested in Abia State after vandalizing NNPC pipeline at a point in Owaza area of Abia State and siphoned 33,000 litres of cooked diesel, while the last suspect was arrested in Kaduna State for being in possession of a truck loaded with 25,000 litres of cooked diesel suspected to have been vandalized. They will be arraigned in court on completion of investigation.
At this juncture, the IGP wishes to register his profound appreciation to members of the Public who availed actionable intelligence that were instrumental to this huge success. A particular mention must be made of the Governors and Government of Delta and Bayelsa States who provided and donated modern gun boats that ease the operations of Anti Pipeline Vandalization Units in the creeks of Niger Delta.
Also, the IGP wishes to register the appreciation of the Force to the Governors and Government of Imo and Kaduna States for the establishment and construction of the Police School of Finance and Accountancy and Special Protection Unit Training School in the two states respectively.
The commitment of the IGP to ensuring that our communities are safe and secure; that there is social production, economic growth and development remains unwavering and unequivocal.
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