Operatives of the Anti-Vandal Unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have uncovered a major illegal bunkering site in Rivers State, exposing what authorities describe as a well-coordinated operation for storing suspected stolen crude oil.
The discovery, made in Igwuruta in Ikwerre Local Government Area, followed days of quiet surveillance and intelligence gathering, culminating in a swift raid that revealed dozens of storage tanks filled with substances believed to have been siphoned from vandalised pipelines.
Officials said the site, concealed within an isolated area, appeared to function as a temporary holding facility where stolen crude was stockpiled ahead of further illegal refining or distribution.
Although the exact volume of crude recovered remains undetermined, early assessments suggest the operation was extensive in scale.
Speaking during an inspection of the site, the State Commandant of the Corps, Joachin Okafor, described the development as a direct assault on the nation’s economic stability. He warned that the command would intensify its crackdown on oil theft networks operating across the state.
Okafor also highlighted the environmental toll of such activities, noting that illegal bunkering continues to degrade ecosystems and threaten livelihoods in host communities. He maintained that those behind the operation would be tracked down and brought to justice, regardless of their status.
The command has since directed its intelligence unit to deepen investigations aimed at identifying the source of the crude and dismantling the network responsible for the illicit trade.
The latest discovery adds to a growing list of similar operations in the state, reinforcing concerns over persistent pipeline vandalism and the resilience of illegal oil syndicates in the Niger Delta region.
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