3 Busted in Ondo with 4,000 Litres of Secret Fuel

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ondo State has arrested three suspects and impounded 4,000 litres of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO) concealed in cellophane bags.

The suspects, Omoetan Iseoluwa Innocent, Ogbodo Adeshina, and Ajana Good Kehinde, were arrested by the marine patrol team of the Anti-vandalization Unit at Iwoye-Awoye, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday, January 10, 2024, at about 10:00 p.m.

According to the Ondo State Commandant of the NSCDC, Commandant Ibiloye Oluyemi, the arrest was made following credible intelligence received by the corps.

“Upon the Commandant’s matching order and based on credible Intelligence the marine patrol team of the Anti-vandalization Unit swung into action, intercepted and arrested the following three (3) suspects at Iwoye-Awoye, Ilaje Local Government Area at about 2200hrs on Tuesday 10th of January, 2024,” a statement signed by the NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, CSC Babawale Afolabi, said.

The suspects were arrested while conveying a 40 Horse Power engine and a wooden boat containing the 4,000 litres of AGO.

Commandant Oluyemi has warned criminal elements involved in the illegal dealings of petroleum products and other allied offences in the state to desist or face the full wrath of the law.

He assured the people of Ondo State that the corps is determined to rid the state of economic saboteurs.

“Let me on this note appeal to the good people of Ondo State not to relent in collaborating with the NSCDC by providing actionable and timely information that would lead to the arrest and prosecution of those that are stealing our collective resources,” he said.

The suspects will be charged to court at the conclusion of an investigation, while the exhibits will be forfeited to the Federal Government.

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This is a major victory for the NSCDC in the fight against illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region. The arrest of these suspects and the impounding of the illegally refined AGO will serve as a deterrent to others who are involved in similar criminal activities.

The NSCDC is a paramilitary organization under the Nigerian Ministry of Interior. It is responsible for providing security for critical national infrastructure and protecting public assets. The corps also has the power to arrest and prosecute suspects for a variety of offences, including oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism, and illegal mining.

The illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism have been a major problem in the Niger Delta region for many years. These activities have caused billions of dollars in damage to the Nigerian economy and have also led to environmental pollution.

The NSCDC has been working to crack down on illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism in recent years. The corps has made a number of arrests and has also seized a large quantity of illegally refined oil products.

The arrest of these three suspects in Ondo State is a sign that the NSCDC is making progress in its fight against illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism. The corps is determined to rid the Niger Delta region of these criminal activities and to protect the Nigerian economy.

By Bliss Anthony