Men of the Akwa Ibom State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have arrested two persons and recovered 130 drums of suspected automotive gas oil in the Eket Local Government Area.
Friday Ekerete, the command’s public relations officer, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Uyo.
According to Ekerete, the arrest and recovery were made when operatives of the Anti-Vandal Squad, led by Mr Edem Sunday, raided the site in Ikot Udoma on Oct. 11.
He added that 74 bags of DPK (kerosene) stored in 50 litres of cellophane bags were also recovered.
“While other suspects are still at large, those apprehended have volunteered useful statements to help with investigations and in apprehending the fleeing suspects,” he added.
According to Ekerete, the illegal fuel dump site was a 10-room apartment located in a residential area in Ikot Udoma.
“The building was used to conceal the illegal activity going on in the backyard, and the several rooms did not appear to be a fuel dump site where large-scale bunkering activity takes place.
“Exhibits recovered from the suspects and the crime scene include 130 drums loaded with illegally refined/acquired AGO (Diesel).
“Five pumping machines, three generator sets, a brown Ford Ecoline van with Registration No. AWK 583 SZ, 27 Jerry Cans, and seven hoses of different lengths.
“We also recovered 74 bags of DPK (kerosene) stored in 50-litre cellophane bags, amounting to about 3,700 litres,” he said.
Ekerete quoted the State Commandant, Mr Suleiman Mafara, as vowing to step up the fight against oil theft, illegal bunkering, refining, and adulteration in line with the directive of the Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Audi.
The commandant appealed to residents of the state to cooperate with the NSCDC by releasing credible information to help fight oil thieves and vandals for the betterment of the nation.
He added that the suspects would be charged in court as soon as investigations were concluded on the matter.
