The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has uncovered an expansive illegal refining site at Otamiri-Etche, near Port Harcourt.
Michael Ogar, the NSCDC Commandant in Rivers, took journalists on Thursday, March 9, 2023, to the illegal refinery where the oil thieves refined stolen crude into various petroleum products for sale to the unsuspecting public.
He said the illegal refinery was sophisticatedly and covertly constructed in a manner that no one could ever suspect the presence of such an illicit facility in Etche town.
“The well fabricated illegal refinery with a wide range of pipes spread across an expansive land mass.
“I must confess that this is my first time of witnessing such a well fabricated illegal refinery which shows that bunkers have adopted a new strategy.
“If not for the eagle eye of the command and our sustained intelligence gathering from our informants, it would have been difficult to detect this bunkering site,” he said.
Ogar said in spite of the destruction of many of such refineries and arrests made by the NSCDC and other security outfits, criminals still continued with the illicit business.
“The operators of the illegal bunkering site tapped into a pipeline belonging to Heirs Holding Oil and Gas through its pipeline bulk delivery.
“They (oil thieves) syphoned crude oil from the Heirs Holding pipeline through carefully constructed pipes into their illegal refinery.
“We have commenced intense investigation into this matter, considering that someone must have given out this expansive land to the owners of the site,” he added.
He said that the corps personnel were on the trail of the owner of the land, to unravel the identities of the operators of the refinery.
The NSCDC commandant said the corps had been given a clear mandate to safeguard critical national assets and infrastructure across the country.
“So, we will not be deterred by the activities of criminals. We will go after them and ensure that their illegal dealing in petroleum products is reduced drastically to boost the economy.
“So, Heirs Company will extract the stolen crude oil back to their facility while our operatives will continue to chase the criminals until they are brought to book,” he said.
Ogar warned operators of illegal refineries and pipeline vandals to either relocate from the state or be arrested and prosecuted.
SAD: Student Allegedly Commits Suicide In NSCDC Cell
A student of Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi, has reportedly committed suicide while in the custody of the Nigerian Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, in Kebbi state.
Victor Musa was said to have slashed himself to death with a razor blade while in protective custody of the NSCDC.
The incident was said to have happened on Sunday.
NSCDC staff immediately rushed him to Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital, Birnin Kebbi, where he was confirmed dead, it was learnt.
A source said the deceased was taken to the NSCDC office on Saturday night to curb his drug abuse.
APC Ward Chairman Did Not Die In Our Cell – NSCDC
Sulieman Ibrahim Mafara, the Kogi State Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has clarified that the Ward Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Ponyan, in Yagba East Local Government Area, Mr. Bunmi David Ipinnaiye, didn’t die in its cell.
The Commandant told journalists on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, in his office at the command’s headquarters in Lokoja that Ipinnaiye was arrested by officers and men of the corps for attempted murder.
He debunked reports by a handful of conventional and social media platforms alleging that the APC Ward Chairman committed suicide while in the cell.
He said that the politician died at ECWA Hospital, Ponyon, and not at the cell of the NSCDC.
Throwing more light on the alleged suicide as reported in some sections of the media, the commandant said the 42-year-old was arrested by the NSCDC following report that he wanted to behead a young boy who was making advances to his daughter.
Following the report to behead the boy, the commandant said Ipinnaiye was arrested on the 7th of June 2022 with the cutlass he was using to harass the boy who was chasing his 19-year-old daughter.
While he was detained at the counter, the Commandant said they tried counseling him in a bid to calm him down when he suddenly asked for a bottle of water.
The Commandant said unknown to the officer who went to get him the water, he had a negative plan before they met him gasping for breath.
He said the APC chieftain, who was suspected to have strangulated himself, was rushed to the hospital.
He disclosed that after a while and efforts to stabilize him, the medical doctor confirmed him dead.
“He didn’t die while in NSCDC custody and detention. The deceased was never detained, so how will he now die in our custody,” Mafara added.
The Commandant, however, advised the media to always cross-check information with a view to providing a balanced and accurate report.
