The operatives of the Abia State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have busted an illegal refinery site in the state. The illegal refinery site is located at Obiakpu, Obuzo- Asa in Ukwa West Local Government Area of the state.
The new state Commandant of NSCDC, Commandant Usman Ishaq Alfadarai, who led journalists to the scene, disclosed that four suspects were arrested, while seven vehicles recovered at the site have been impounded by the federal government security agency.
According to Alfadarai, the personnel were able to record such a feat through sustained intelligence, adding that the bursting of the illegal site was in line with the agency’s fight against all forms of vandalism of critical national assets and infrastructure, including illegal dealing in petroleum products and related economic sabotage against Nigeria.
The NSCDC chief while praising his men for displaying gallantry and professionalism which enabled the successful coordination of the operation described Ukwa West as “axis of illegality and economic sabotage.”
He assured that the agency would no longer allow those who steal national wealth to continue to operate illegal refinery sites in the state under his stewardship. According to Commandant Alfadarai “we are here today to fully demonstrate our resolve to take the fight to the door steps of the economic saboteurs.
“The directives of the Commandant General, Ahmed Abububakar Audi, against all forms of vandalism of Critical National Assets, illegal dealings in Petroleum products and related crimes are being strictly complied with. “This move which comes barely one week after I took over as the Abia State Commandant is a strong statement to the vandals to either turn a new leaf or relocate from the State as the Corps will not give any inch to the enemies of the Nigerian economy to operate.”
He however called on traditional rulers to do more in educating their subjects on the dangers of tampering with the Petroleum products pipelines and report suspicious members of their Community to security agencies.
He disclosed the names of the suspects as Okechukwu Pleasure (m) (24yrs) from Obehie Asa Ukwa West LGA, Odom Unoy (M) (29) from Ozuaku Oboho Asa, Ukwa West LGA, Godstime Friday (M) (28) from Obehie Asa, Ukwa West LGA and Chukwuemeka Sunday (M) (17) from Umunka villy in Ugwunagbo LGA all in Abia State.
