The Commandant General’s Special Anti-Vandal Monitoring Unit (SAVMU) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has dislodged five illegal refineries in Delta South Local Government Area of Delta State, where adulterated petroleum products were produced and distributed to unsuspecting users across the country.
The illegal refineries were discovered and dislodged following a tip-off on the nefarious activities of vandals and oil thieves operating a large camp in the area.
Director Public Relations, NSCDC, Abuja, Olusola Odumosu, in a statement, explained that two suspects were nabbed during the operation while other collaborators were still at large.
He added: “The intelligence report, however, revealed that the site belongs to three individuals which consist of a woman and two other men, who are currently in NSCDC custody and are volunteering information to assist in carrying out further investigation.”
The Squad Commander, DCC Brah Umoru Samson, who led the operation, assured Nigerians that the SAVMU will not condone any act of sabotage to the economy and therefore, warned all illegal operators to engage in a legitimate business that will not contravene the law or compromise the safety of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure in the country.
He reiterated that the arrested suspects will be prosecuted according to extant law and the Squad would ensure a total manhunt for those currently on the run.
According to him, the illegal refineries and other equipment used for the illicit business had been destroyed, while an investigation will be carried out with due diligence to unravel the other criminals connected to the crime for possible prosecution.
