The Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has smashed a syndicate specializing in illegal oil bunkering in the coastal area of the state.
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The Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has smashed a syndicate specializing in illegal oil bunkering in the coastal area of the State.
The twelve-man gang, which had been on NSCDC's wanted list, was nabbed at their hideout at about 5:30 am on Thursday at Ugbo in Ijabe Local Government Area.
Ondo State NSCDC commander Claudius Danladi Yakubu disclosed that the operation was carried out through the combined effort of the command's anti-vandal and armed squad.
Mr. Yakubu, who presented the suspects to journalists on Friday, said over 40,000 liters of adulterated diesel stored by the suspects in surface tanks and drums were confiscated and destroyed during the operation.
Other exhibits and items caught with the suspects include: six pumping machines, one motorcycle, two electric generators, and three hoses used to siphon oil from the pipeline.
Mr. Yakubu described the suspects as among the many criminals sabotaging the economy of the State and the country in general. "I want to urge the good people of Ondo state to always help the corps through our command with timely and useful information about oil bunkerers and vandals.”
He reiterated his pledge that the corps will not renege in its fight against illegal oil bunkering and oil pipeline vandalism in the state.