From Paul Osuyi, Asaba

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have bursted a loading point in Odorubu waterside in Patani Local Government Area of Delta State, where illegally refined petroleum products are lifted.

The breakthrough was recorded following credible intelligence by men of the Commandant General Special Intelligence Squad (CGSIS) who arrived in the state on a special mission.

In a statement, yesterday, in Asaba, Delta State Command Public Relations Officer of NSCDC, Emeka Peters Okwechime, said about six tankers and articulated trucks loaded with stolen and illegally refined petroleum products, suspected to be automated gasoline oil (AGO), were impounded.

Okwechime said the suspected vandals had resisted the NSCDC operatives as they used a 120-litre capacity tanker to barricade the only road leading to the illegal loading point upon sighting the officials.

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“In a determined effort to gain access into the loading point, men of the CGSIS engaged the services of about six truck drivers, two auto electricians and a tow truck, which towed away the heavily loaded 120-litre capacity truck used by the crude oil thieves to barricade the road leading to illegal loading point,” he stated.

Okwechime further disclosed that barely 24 hours of arrival, the CGSIS team arrested four suspects in Warri with illegally refined petroleum product suspected to be AGO concealed in 25-litre polythene sacks numbering about 300.

The suspects, he said, loaded the products in a blue Toyota Camry with registration number: BMA 786 TN, and a Toyota Sienna with registration number: KSF 107 CD.

He gave the identities of the suspects as Clement Mike (34 years), Tobore Morgan (39 years), Jeff Oluchi (29 years) and a 40-year-old lady, Chinwe Ikpeamachukwu. Okwechime said they would be charged to court at the end of the investigation.