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PINL foils illicit oil bunkering operation in Rivers State
The Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has busted an illicit oil bunkering operation in Eleme Local Government Area (LGA), Rivers State, on October 13, 2024.
PINL Security and Government Senior Manager, Dr. Patrick Onogwu, revealed this information while escorting reporters around the area, as reported by Punch.
Dr. Onogwu said Igor Logistics Services Limited, a logistics company in Eleme LGA was discovered.
The logistic company was reportedly used to concealed illicit oil bunkering operations on the 28-inch Trans-Niger pipeline.
The site was the Ebubu new road which adjourns the East-West Road in Eleme LGA.
He said that some employees and two members of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) dispatched to the logistics company had been taken into custody.
He revealed that the suspects are currently helping security services with their investigations.
The arrests were made possible by PINL surveillance officers who provided reliable information about crude oil thieves operating along that axis.
He said that more security attention was given to the region in light of the information.
He continued that this ultimately resulted in the company’s illicit oil bunkering operation coming to an end.
The company’s main line of business is the preparation and shipment of valuable stones, such as glass sand, quartz, and iron, to China via the Onne port in Rivers State.
Onogwu claimed that the oil thieves were profiting from a TNP valve’s close proximity to the company.
This is less than 200m away from the logistics company.
He said, “So, they tapped the valve and connected a hose which they passed through a hole on the company’s fence into the main compound to load the crude.
“The closeness of the valve to the company made the operation of the crude oil thieves easy that they wouldn’t need a pumping machine.
“They just connected a 9-inch hose from which they load their trucks usually concealed in front of the weighing bridge of the company.
“Five days ago, we got intel that they loaded three trucks from this compound.
“The trucks they loaded, used 40-foot containers and built a tank right inside the container as a disguise.
“Once you see a container like that, you’ll think it’s carrying normal products.
“They used this customs seal to seal the truck then they transported it to Akwa-Ibom State.
“Now, each time these trucks come out of this compound, you know there will be no suspicion.
“This is a normal logistics company, they deal in precious stone and all of that.”
He added that the suspects were unsuccessful when they returned that evening for second loading.
The head of PINL emphasized that the business had loaded a vehicle with a 45,000-liter capacity.
This was prior to the second layer surveillance company’s supervisor, who was on patrol, perceived crude odour and sounded the alarm.
“With that, we quickly alerted our team from the Ogale camp, under the 29th Battalion, which responded.
“Led by one Captain Chibok, they came and upon arrival, they met two NSCDC officers from the Rivers State Command.
“Those officers were the ones deployed to the company to guard it.
“In the process, because the officers were involved in the crime, they tried to cause some delays which alerted the principal suspects inside who scaled the fence and escaped into the bush.
“The second NSCDC officer also tried to escape but was eventually caught when they were combining the bush.
“They have been transferred to the NSCDC headquarters for further investigation,” he added.
According to report, a joint military and NSCDC squad that was stationed there sealed the company.
Mr. Olufemi Ayodele, the NSCDC’s Rivers State Command spokesman, was contacted.
Although he had received calls regarding the incident, Mr. Ayodele stated that he had not yet gotten an official report.
Ayodele added, “Well when I get to the office tomorrow (Monday), I will find out and get back to you. “
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