The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps’ Commandant General Special Intelligence Squad has taken action against crude oil theft by recovering 20,000 litres of stolen crude oil from Abia State and apprehending five individuals.

This was revealed by the NSCDC on Tuesday in a statement that was posted on its Facebook page and signed by its spokeswoman, Afolabi Babawale.

The CG Special Intelligence Squad Commander, Commandant Appolos Dandaura, partially stated in the statement that his team had detained five suspects and seized roughly 20,000 litres of crude oil that had been stolen from a pipeline that had already been vandalised along the Umielechi/izam Community in Abia State.

Dandaura clarified that the operation, which involved a nocturnal raid in the Umielechi/Izam village of Abia State, was founded on reliable intelligence.

He was cited as stating, “We conducted a midnight raid and arrested the five suspects with stolen crude oil carefully packed in cellophane bags after acting on the intelligence at our disposal.”

The statement went on to say, “Commandant Appolos described how the CG SIS pursued the suspects who nearly escaped using their motorcycles in Obuzor ASA axis, Ukwa West of Abia State, based on credible intelligence.”

He said that the following suspects were apprehended: 20-year-old Danniel Augustine, 23-year-old Moses Friday, 42-year-old Igboshe Musua, 28-year-old Sadiq Yunusa, and 33-year-old Dozie Ugo. In addition, 20,000 litres of crude oil that had already been syphoned, two Dalong Super Wolf motorcycles, a Qlink 150-ES Electric Start motorcycle, and a Nasara Super D-S 150 motorcycle were found as exhibits.

According to reports, Dandaura reiterated his dedication to the Commandant General’s order, Dr. Ahmed Audi, who said that theft of crude oil and damage would not be tolerated.

The statement further stated that the corps is prepared to defend all vital national infrastructure and assets in the country and that the squad commander stated that the corps is determined to continue battling oil thieves and vandals with tenacity.

Seven individuals involved in illicit petroleum product operations were arrested in Woji, on the outskirts of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, according to a September announcement by the NSCDC.

During the raid, three boats and a barge carrying diesel, also known as automotive petrol oil, were reportedly captured.