By Olukayode Idowu
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has discovered in Egbema West of Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State illegal petroleum refinery site with massive capacity.
A statement on Friday by the spokesman of the security agency, Afolabi Babawale read: “In a swift response to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi’s marching order the CG’s SIS having upscaled their intelligence and operational techniques have uncovered a massive illegal refining site with over 95,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) while others yet to be refined but already siphoned are unquantified in litres.”
He said: “Acting on credible intelligence, the CG’s SIS stormed Otulu Community in Egbema West of Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State and discovered an illegal refinery covering a large expanse of land with many cooking pots and illegally connected Pipes tapping from the main Oil Trunk line of NNPC OML 20 assets in Egbema West field; Well 11 location with many fabricated reservoirs, drums and AGO concealed in cellophane bags.
“Upon sighting the resilient and dogged CG’s Special Intelligence Squad the perpetrators took to their heels through the thick forests. “
He revealed that: “The following exhibits were recovered at the crime scene:
“Galvanized iron pipes, several locally fabricated metal reservoirs, Constant Elepaq Gasoline Generating Set, Bridge Inverter Welding machine ARC 200, Electrical filing machine, Several vandalized Well Head Valves, a yellow coloured Robin GC pumping machine and Packs of Electrolyte.
“Investigation is ongoing to unravel the perpetrators behind the heinous crime while the exhibits recovered would be forfeited to the federal government after the Court’s order. “
Babawale said: “The NSCDC hereby affirms it’s determination to relentlessly combat the menace of Vandalism and crude oil theft to a stand still across the nation.