Nigeria Police Seize 67 Tanks Holding 40,000 Litres Of Stolen Petroleum Products, Arrest Four Suspects

The Nigerian police have announced the arrest of four suspects involved in oil theft, illegal bunkering, and economic sabotage in Trans Amadi, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The suspects were arrested on September 12, 2024, by operatives of the IGP Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering (IGP-STFPIB) in collaboration with the department of operations, Rivers State Command.

This was made known in a statement issued by the Force Spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Friday, noting that the team also discovered a storage facility used in dealing and processing illegally acquired crude oil in the area.

He identified the suspects as Emmanuel Nwachi, Adamu Bala, Nura Musa, and Bashir Abubakar.

According to him, the recovery of 40,000 litres of petroleum products, stored in 67 white storage tanks was made.

The statement reads in part, "The operatives of the IGP Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering (IGP-STFPIB) have once again made a significant breakthrough in the continuous fight against oil theft, illegal bunkering and economic sabotage.

"This milestone achievement was marked after the operatives, in collaboration with the department of operations, Rivers State Command, on 12th September 2024, made discovery of a storage facility in Trans Amadi, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, used in dealing and processing illegally acquired Crude oil.

"This operation had led to the arrest of four (4) suspects namely; Emmanuel Nwachi ‘m’ 58 years; Adamu Bala ‘m’ 35years; Nura Musa ‘m’ 22 years; Bashir Abubakar ‘m’ 28 years, and the recovery of 40,000 litres of petroleum products, stored in 67 white storage tanks. The team however destroyed the site and recovered the equipment and machines used in committing these crimes.”

"The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM., has reemphasized the commitment of the Force to tackling every form of crime, criminality and corruption, extending to those involved in this economic sabotage. The Force remains unyielding and will continue to bring these perpetrators to book," the statement added.