The Abia State command of the Nigeria Security And Civil Defence Corps has overrun a local refinery site in Obiakpu, Obuzo-Asa, in Ukwa West Local Government Area, arresting four suspected operators and impounding seven vehicles.
Speaking after conducting newsmen around the site, the commandant, Usman Alfadarai, said, “The breakthrough followed a 48-hour sustained surveillance mounted by my men within and around the area.”
He restated the commitment of the command to end all forms of vandalism of public infrastructure, illegal dealing in petroleum products, and related economic sabotage in the state.
The commandant, who described the site as an “axis of illegality and economic sabotage,” assured that such refineries would no longer be allowed to operate under his stewardship.
“We’re here today to fully demonstrate our resolve to take the fight to the doorsteps of the economic saboteurs,” said Alfadarai, who assumed office barely one week ago.
On the suspects, aged from 17 to 28, the commandant said that they would be charged to court for prosecution at the conclusion of the investigations.
According to him, the operation was in line with the directive of the commandant-general of the corps, Ahmed Audi, “who has sworn to leave no stone unturned in pursuing the corps’ mandate.”
Alfadarai, who called on the people to partner with the command by providing it with useful information on suspected criminals, assured that such information “will be treated with the utmost sense of confidentiality.”
He also solicited the cooperation of the traditional rulers in educating their subjects on the dangers of tampering with petroleum products lines, adding that the consequences are unimaginable.