……..Recovers 13 trucks, and 17 persons arrested in various operations nationwide.
The IGP Special Task Force On Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering (IGP-STFPIB) has intercepted and recovered 250,000 litres of crude oil, 350,000 litres of AGO, 118 litres of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) over the past four weeks.
This was revealed by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Wednesday, 6th August, 2024 at the IIGP-STFPIB Office Complex, Dei-Dei, Abuja.
The force PRO further said that a total number of 13 trucks were recovered, while 17 persons were arrested in various operations across the country.
Similarly, Adejobi said that as part of the IGP’s efforts to boost the anti-oil theft activities of the Nigeria Police Force, there has been tremendous support to the Nigerian Navy via the NPF Marine Unit, and the purchase of an additional 20 boats for the Marine Unit to be delivered soon.
This delivery, he said will surely fortify the arsenal of the Marine Police and IGP STFPIB for effectiveness while the IGP has also charged the head of all tactical units to ensure prompt prosecution of suspects, forfeiture of stolen items, products and exhibits.
The statement reads, “On July 3rd, 2024, acting on credible intelligence, the IGP-STFPIB North-West patrol team intercepted an Iveco long truck with Registration Number KMT 327 YR, in the Rijana Area of Kaduna State. The truck was carrying about 45,000 litres of petroleum product suspected to have been obtained illicitly. Two suspects, Ali Ngubdo and Bukar Daluwa, were apprehended. Initial analysis suggested the product was Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), but further examination by the NNPC Pipeline and Storage Company Ltd revealed it was crude oil. The case is now in court for the forfeiture of the product and the truck, and for the prosecution of the defendants.
“Later that evening, at around 10 pm, in the Jabiri area of Funtua, Katsina State, police operatives intercepted another Long Truck with Reg. No. DKA 473 XF, carrying about 40,000 litres of petroleum product suspected to have been illicitly acquired. Two suspects, Basiru Aliyu and one other were arrested. The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in Kaduna confirmed the product did not meet AGO specifications. Meanwhile, an investigation is being extended to A & E Petrol Ltd, the company where the product was purportedly sourced and an update will be accordingly shared. Even as an investigation is ongoing, the case has been filed in court accordingly.
“On 4th July 2024, personnel of the Taskforce attached to the South-East Surveillance intercepted three (3) wooden boats loaded with one hundred and sixty (160) sacks of petroleum product suspected to have been illicitly acquired. During the operation, two (2) suspects viz: i) Peace Moweeloh ‘f’ and ii) Goodness Michael Chidinma ‘f’ were apprehended. Preliminary investigation led to the arrest of two (2) other suspects viz: i) Alh Yerima Adamu and ii) Igboke Banks Ude.
“Among the suspects is an Eight (8) month old pregnant woman who is the leader of the syndicate along with her husband. The suspects confessed to their involvement in aiding and abetting an organized syndicate specialized in tampering with oil pipelines and stealing therefrom. The case has been filed and all four suspects remanded in prison.
“Also on 4th July 2024, operatives of this Taskforce attached to Lagos Intelligence Unit while on routine patrol, intercepted one short truck with Reg. No T 2585 LA laden with about 20,000 litres of AGO suspected to be adulterated along the Ottor area of Lagos State. The exhibit has been impounded at Ijora Police Outpost, Lagos State. Preliminary investigation revealed that the product is adulterated as it is Off-Specification and not good for public consumption. The case file has been forwarded to the Legal and Prosecution Unit of the Taskforce for vetting and advice.
“Similarly, on 9th July 2024, Taskforce operatives attached to Okigwe Intelligence intercepted a long truck at Okigwe Nipping Point, Imo State laden with about 50,000 litres of petroleum product reasonably suspected to be crude oil obtained through the illicit acts of vandalization of oil pipeline and theft. In the process, the driver, Ibrahim Ahmed who could not give a satisfactory account of the product was apprehended and taken into custody. Analysis of the product is underway while an investigation is ongoing.
“Also, operatives of the Taskforce attached to North-West Patrol, while on routine patrol along Constitution Road in the Kaduna Metropolis, acting on credible intelligence on the alleged activities of some corporate entities involved in mixing clean AGO with those illegally refined from stolen crude oil to produce AGO to maximize profits, intercepted one short truck with Reg. No. ZAR 262 XC Marked “CON OIL” laden with about 8,500 litres of petroleum product reasonably suspected to be adulterated. During the operation, two (2) suspects were arrested and taken into custody while the truck was impounded at Kabala Police Station. Analysis conducted on the sample of the product revealed it is OFF-SPECIFICATION.
“On 10th July 2024 operatives of this Taskforce attached to the Port Harcourt Sector intercepted one container body Man Diesel truck with Reg. No. SMK 98 ZXH laden with about 30,000 litres of petroleum product reasonably suspected to be crude oil obtained through illicit means and arrested one suspect – Chinaza Joseph. Analysis of the product revealed it is Crude Oil. An investigation is ongoing. The court has been approached through a Motion for Interim Forfeiture. Meanwhile, effort is on to apprehend the actual perpetrators of the crime.
“On 10th July 2024, acting on credible intelligence, personnel of this Taskforce attached to Lagos Intelligence Unit intercepted one Long Mack Truck with Reg. No. LAR 30 YD laden with about 45,000 litres of petroleum product and apprehended one suspect – Oluwadotun Bodunde. A sample of the product has been sent for analysis, result will be communicated when available.
“On 11th July 2024 operatives of the Taskforce attached to the Port Harcourt Intelligence Unit trailed some perpetrators of oil theft to a forest at Afam community, in Rivers State and recovered 20 bags of petroleum product suspected to be illegally refined. Suspects took to their heels on sighting our men. Exhibits have been conveyed for safekeeping at Oyigbo Divisional Police Headquarters, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
“On 13th July 2024, personnel of the Taskforce attached to Lafia/Makurdi Intelligence intercepted one long Iveco Truck with Reg. No. KMB 23 XA laden with about 45,000 litres of petroleum Product suspected to be STOLEN CRUDE OIL. Analysis of the product is underway.
“On 13th July 2024, operatives of the Taskforce attached to Adamawa Sector intercepted three (3) Toyota Corolla cars laden with 130 jerry cans of 25-litre capacity filled with petroleum product reasonably suspected to be Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). One of the cars was carrying 50 jerry cans and the other two carrying 40 jerry cans each making a total of 130 jerry cans. The vehicles and exhibits have been impounded at the Girei Divisional Police Headquarters, Adamawa State, while the suspects were taken into custody. Preliminary Investigation revealed that the culprits are part of an organized criminal syndicate specialized in smuggling petroleum products into neighbouring Cameroun specifically.
“On 15th July 2024, personnel attached to the Ahoada Mbiama Sector of Rivers State intercepted an open body Trailer with Reg. AHD 709 XA laden 15 Jerry Cans of petroleum product suspected to be adulterated along Omerelu-Owerri Express Way, Rivers State. One suspect named Adams Suleiman Yusuf was arrested for the cause of the operation. The exhibits have been impounded under safekeeping at Elele Divisional Police Headquarters, Rivers State.
“On 16th July 2024, the Commanding Officer directed the Head of Investigation to take over an abandoned Iveco Truck traced through intelligence at the Igwuruta Area of Rivers State. The truck was laden with about 45,000 litres of petroleum product reasonably suspected to be crude oil obtained through illicit means. Analysis conducted on the product confirmed the suspicion that it was sourced from stealing through tampering with the oil pipeline. The court has been approached through a Motion for Interim Forfeiture. Meanwhile, effort is on to apprehend the actual perpetrators of the crime.
“On 26th July 2024, operatives attached to Funtua Patrol secured intelligence on the nefarious activities of some organized criminal elements who specialize in patronizing AGO secured through illegal refining of crude oil and supplying same to unsuspecting members of the public. Consequently, the team intercepted one (1) long truck with Reg. No. GRY 155 XA laden with about 48,000 litres of petroleum product suspected to have been illegally refined. In the course of the investigation, one (1) suspect Sa’adu Isiaka was apprehended and taken into custody. Analysis of the product revealed that the product is AGO which is Off-Specification.
“On 29th July 2024, men attached to Delta-Edo Surveillance Team acting on intelligence of illicit activities by pipeline vandals, intercepted one long open body truck with Reg. No. NSH 787 YY laden with an unquantified piece of cut-to-size pipes suspected to be secured during the illicit act of pipeline vandalism. In the cause of the operation, three suspects namely: i) Chinedu Omeze ii) Emeka Sunday and iii) Paul Efokuwa, were arrested. They have since confessed to their involvement in the illicit act.
“More so, during the period under review, the task force sought and obtained an interim forfeiture order concerning a Vessel popularly referred to as Thug Boat operating under the name of MV Aya Oba Olori II and its content, about 50,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). In the said case, the Court Ordered that the vessel be kept under the custody of the Nigeria Police Force. Efforts are on to trace and apprehend the fleeing accomplices. Noteworthy is that the arrest was made in a joint operation of government security forces and Tantita Security Services Ltd (TSSL).
Adejobi said that these achievements are a testament to the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to combating petroleum theft and illegal bunkering as the police will continue to intensify its efforts to ensure the security and integrity of the nation’s petroleum resources.
