NSCDC Intercepts Truck Carrying 70,000 Litres Of Stolen Crude Oil

NSCDC Intercepts Truck Carrying 70,000 Litres Of Stolen Crude Oil

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has intercepted a truck transporting approximately 70,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. This was disclosed in a statement issued by the NSCDC National Public Relations Officer (NPRO), Afolabi Babawale, on Monday in Abuja…READ MORE…

Babawale explained that the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CGS SIS) had been directed to curb pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, and illegal petroleum activities in the Niger Delta. Acting on a credible intelligence tip-off, the CGS SIS promptly intercepted a long caravan truck equipped with an in-built tank, fully loaded with stolen crude oil.

According to the statement, the truck was identified while in transit around the Eleme flyover in Elelewon, Port Harcourt, and was subsequently seized. Babawale quoted the Squad Commander, AS Dandaura, who reported that his team was swiftly deployed to the scene and confiscated a red-head, navy-blue container truck with registration number AGL574XY, fully loaded with siphoned crude oil illegally extracted from vandalized wellheads and damaged pipelines.

However, the occupants of the truck fled the scene as the operatives arrived. The recovered items, including the truck and the estimated 70,000 litres of stolen crude oil, are currently in NSCDC custody.

An investigation has been launched to apprehend the syndicate responsible for this economic sabotage. Babawale noted that once investigations are concluded, the NSCDC will pursue the legal forfeiture of the truck and its contents through a competent court. Proceeds from the sale of the assets will be deposited into the Proceeds of Crime Account (POCA).

The CGS SIS Commander reaffirmed the squad’s dedication to combating oil theft and prosecuting offenders, emphasizing that any individuals arrested would be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted accordingly.