By Obiabin Onukwugha
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), says it has intercepted a truck loaded with about 70,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The crude laden truck, which has an in-built storage tank, was intercepted around the popular Eleme junction flyover in the Elelenwo area in Obio/Akpor local government area following a rip-off.
In a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday signed by Afolabi Babawale, National Public Relations Officer, the NDDC revealed that the operation was carried out by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’S SIS).
The statement also revealed that the occupants of the truck abandoned it on sighting the security operatives, adding that head of the CG’S SIS operatives swiftly responded to the intelligence report and intercepted the red head, navy blue container truck with registration number AGL574XY.
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The statement read in part; “Upon spotting the security operatives, the suspects fled the scene, abandoning the vehicle.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the truck was loaded with stolen crude oil siphoned from vandalized wellheads and damaged pipelines.
“For the records, the exhibits recovered include a red head and navy blue container truck with 10 tyres (Reg. No. AGL564-XL) and an estimated content of about 70,000 litres of stolen crude.”
The statement described the act as a grave case of economic sabotage, adding that the NSCDC has launched an investigation to track down the culprits and their collaborators.
The statement said the NSCDC would seek a court order for the forfeiture of both the truck and its contents, with proceeds from the seizure to be deposited into the Proceeds of Crime Account (POCA) at the end of the investigations.
The statement therefore reaffirmed the NSCDC’s commitment to tackling oil theft and vandalism in the Niger Delta, adding that all suspects connected to the incident would be brought to justice.
