Police authorities at Force headquarters on Thursday paraded four pipeline vandals who engage in destruction of oil and gas facilities as well as illegal bickering.
The suspects are Olajide Kabir (Nakem Depot Manager), Ogbolu Louis (Captain), Izuazu Anayo (Chief Engineer) and Solomon Agbanoma (Able Seaman).
Exhibits seized from the suspects include the vessel MT Jazzi, 800, 000 litres off illegal refined AGO (diesel) off loaded at Nakem Depot and DRP certificate of laboratory analysis confirming that the illegally refined (AGO) is off specification.
Giving details of the arrest, Force PRO, CAP Jim oh Moshood said, “On the 6th of February, 2017, at about 2. 17 am, after a sustained surveillance and monitoring of MR Jazzi Vessel and crew members sailing from the creeks of Port Harcourt in Rivers State through the waterway to Lagos state with 800, 000 litres of illegally refined AGO.
“The IGP Task Force on illegal petroleum bunkering unexpectedly swooped on the vessel and its crew members at a location in Kirikiri area of Lagos state, arrested the vessel and the 3 crew members and the manager of the Nakem Depot where the illegally refined AGO was discharged.
“The 800, 000 litres of AGO already discharged by The vessel was impounded. All the suspects are already in police custody and have volunteered confessional statements indicating the various criminal roles they played in the commission of this very serious criminal and economic crime.
“Meanwhile, investigation is being intensified to arrest their collaborators and sponsors. They will be charged to court on completion of investigation for dealing in suspected illegally refined petroleum products AGO under the petroleum and miscellaneous offences acts”
