Eight persons have been arrested in Olowo Community, in Odigbo council area of Ondo state, for alleged vandalisation of pipelines and illegal bunkering activities.

The suspects were arrested by men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the state.

It was gathered that the suspect also deals in illegal adulterated petroleum products and operates illegal dump/storage facilities.

They were arrested by the Agency’s Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad who acted on a credible intelligence report.

Sources said that they were apprehended at their hideout around 0900hours of 21st April 2022.

The spokesperson for the agency in the state, Daniel Aidamenbor confirmed the arrest of the eight suspects.

Aidamenbor said that” eight suspects were arrested at the scene and were loading the suspected adulterated products into the store.

“A black Toyota Sequoia with registration number Lagos APP 134 DX loaded with 70 kegs of 25 litres of adulterated.

“28 kegs of 25litres each of suspected adulterated AGO were moved from the crime scene, six pumping machines and one counting machine.

“Also at the dumpsite which has been sealed and secured, the following exhibits were also recovered, 19kegs of 25litres of adulterated AGO, 5 drums of 200 litres of suspected AGO, 2 drums of 200 litres capacity that is half-filled and 2 drums of 200litres capacity that is about a quarter filled.

“Others are two storage tanks with 3500 litres of adulterated AGO each. Underground storage tanks with four compartments were also discovered at the crime scene.

“The first compartment was empty, the second compartment has 2,800 litres, the third compartment contains 1,500 litres while the fourth compartment has 16,500 litres of adulterated Automated Gas Oil (AGO).

Aidamenbor said that the suspects will be charged to court at the end of our investigation.

He pointed out that “the command, led by Dr Ahmed Abodunrin will not relent in its commitment to fight against oil theft, oil bunkering and all acts of illegal dealings in petroleum products in the state