In a decisive move against oil theft, the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’S SIS) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has intercepted and impounded a long container truck with an in-built storage tank carrying approximately 70,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
The truck, a red-head navy blue container vehicle with registration number AGL574XY, was intercepted around the Eleme flyover in Elelewon, Port Harcourt following an intelligence tip-off.
According to Commandant AS Dandaura, the operatives were swiftly deployed to the scene, but the truck’s operators abandoned the vehicle and fled upon sighting security personnel.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the crude oil was illegally siphoned from vandalized well-heads and damaged pipelines, further worsening Nigeria’s economic losses due to crude oil theft.
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Commandant Dandaura stated that a thorough investigation has been launched to track down the perpetrators and their network of collaborators.
“For the records, the exhibits recovered at the point of arrest include a red-head and navy-blue colour container truck with 10 tyres (Reg. No. AGL574XY) and an estimated content of about 70,000 litres of stolen crude,” he disclosed.
He further revealed that upon the completion of investigations, the NSCDC will seek a court order for the forfeiture of both the truck and its contents, with proceeds to be remitted into the Proceeds of Crime Account (POCA).
The CG’S SIS Commander reaffirmed the squad’s unwavering commitment to tackling oil theft, stressing that all individuals involved in the illicit trade will be brought to justice.
The NSCDC has continued to intensify its anti-vandalism operations in the Niger Delta, aligning with the federal government’s mandate to curb crude oil theft, which has significantly impacted Nigeria’s revenue and oil production capacity.
