Police nab 17 suspects over pipeline vandalism, illegal bunkering

The Inspector-General of Police Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering, IGP-STFPI, said it arrested 17 suspects over pipeline vandalism and illegal oil bunkering nationwide in one month.

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, made the disclosure on Wednesday in Abuja during a media briefing to showcase the achievements of the task force.

Adejobi said that operatives of the task force had, in the past four weeks, made significant strikes to curb the illicit activities surrounding oil theft and illegal bunkering in the country.

“The task force has intercepted and recovered 250,000 litres of crude oil, 350,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, and 118 liters of Petroleum Motor Spirit, PMS.

“They have also recovered 13 trucks during various operations across the country within the period under review,” he said.

The police spokesman explained that the arrests and recoveries were made during the joint operation of government security forces and Tantita Security Services Ltd.

He further said that the task force had sought and obtained the court’s interim forfeiture order with respect to a vessel popularly referred to as “thug Boat,” operating under the name of MV Aya Oba Olori II.

According to him, the forfeiture order covers the 50,000 litres of AGO content in the boat.

Adejobi said the court also ordered that the vessel be kept under the custody of the Nigeria Police, adding that efforts were being made to trace and apprehend the fleeing accomplices.

He said the achievements were testament to the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to combat petroleum theft and illegal bunkering.

The police spokesman pledged the force’s continuous efforts to ensure the security and integrity of the nation’s petroleum resources.