By Helen Okechukwu, JKNewsMedia Reporter
THE NIGERIA Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has apprehended seven individuals involved in the illegal trade of petroleum products in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Three boats loaded with Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were also seized by the authorities during the operation.
The arrests occurred in the Woji area, near the Slaughter axis of the city.
Rivers State Commandant of the NSCDC, Joachin Okafor, announced the development during a press briefing on Wednesday at the crime scene.
Two of the suspects were caught in the act, transferring illegally refined AGO from a barge into cellophane bags, intended for an undisclosed destination.
Commandant Okafor, who took office as the head of the Rivers NSCDC on September 5, has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to combat economic sabotage.
He emphasized the importance of curbing oil theft and vandalism, which have long plagued the region.
In a related operation, five more suspects were apprehended by the Marine Squad of the NSCDC.
These individuals were caught with three boats, each carrying unquantified amounts of AGO, at the Tombia-Iwofe axis along the waterways.
Commandant Okafor reaffirmed the NSCDC’s commitment to fighting illegal bunkering and protecting the environment from further degradation.
He stressed that thorough investigations would be conducted to identify all parties involved in the illegal activities, ensuring they face prosecution in court.
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