On Friday, the Nigeria Police Force announced the arrest of four individuals suspected of engaging in oil theft and the recovery of 40,000 litres of illegally obtained petroleum products. The arrests were made by the Inspector General of Police Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat oil theft, illegal bunkering, and other forms of economic sabotage in Nigeria.
According to the Force Spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, the operation was carried out in collaboration with the Department of Operations, Rivers State Command. On September 12, 2024, police operatives discovered a storage facility in the Trans Amadi area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. This facility was allegedly used for the storage and processing of illegally acquired crude oil, and its discovery led to the arrest of four suspects.
The suspects, identified as Emmanuel Nwachi, aged 58; Adamu Bala, aged 35; Nura Musa, aged 22; and Bashir Abubakar, aged 28, were found in possession of the stolen petroleum products. The products, totaling 40,000 litres of petrol, were stored in 67 white storage tanks at the facility. The police also seized various equipment and machinery that were reportedly used to commit the crime. In addition to the arrests and seizure of the products, the task force took decisive action by destroying the storage site to prevent further illegal activities.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to combating all forms of crime and corruption, especially those that have significant economic impacts on the country. “The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has reiterated the Force’s commitment to tackling all forms of crime, criminality, and corruption, including those involved in economic sabotage. The Force remains resolute and will continue to bring these perpetrators to justice,” stated Adejobi.
