The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has executed a decisive blow against illegal bunkering activities in Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State. A statement released by NSCDC spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi, on Wednesday revealed the dismantling of a clandestine bunkering site and the seizure of 9,000 litres of automotive gas from oil thieves operating in the state.
Under the leadership of the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad, the operation marks a renewed crackdown on economic saboteurs. The NSCDC team targeted an illegal bunkering site situated at Inhandu/Ikwariator Riverside, Ukwa East Local Government Area, acting on credible intelligence regarding ongoing oil bunkering activities.
Upon arrival, the perpetrators fled upon sighting the NSCDC operatives, leaving behind evidence of their illicit operations. The dismantled site included a large local boat used for transporting locally refined petroleum products, alongside a loading point for their distribution network.
During the sweep of the area, additional incriminating evidence emerged. Bags of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were discovered packed in an uncompleted building, while others were loaded inside three different vehicles, poised for distribution. The confiscated items included two fibre boats equipped with 40HP Yamaha engines, two empty J5 buses, one Sequoia Jeep primed for loading, and two large wooden boats in various stages of construction.
The NSCDC’s decisive action underscores its commitment to safeguarding the nation’s economic interests and combating illicit activities that undermine national prosperity. By disrupting the operations of oil thieves and dismantling their infrastructure, the NSCDC reaffirms its role as a frontline defender of Nigeria’s economic integrity.