Police Shut Down Illegal Refinery And Arrest Four In Oil Theft Operation

Police Shut Down Illegal Refinery And Arrest Four In Oil Theft Operation

The operatives of the Inspector General of Police 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.

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

A statement by the Police Force Relations Officer, ACP Olumiyiwa Adejobi on Friday, said the operation had led to the arrest of four 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.

While commenting on the development, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun reemphasised the commitment of the force to tackling every form of crime, criminality and corruption, extending to those involved in this economic sabotage.

The force said it remained unyielding and will continue to bring these perpetrators to book.