According to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps in Rivers State, its agents discovered an unauthorized local refinery at Otamiri-Etche in the state’s Etche Local Government Area.
The corps claimed that sustained intelligence from its spies led to the discovery.
On Thursday in Port Harcourt, Michael Ogar, the commandant of the NSCDC’s Rivers State Command, revealed this to reporters.
“I must admit that this is the first time that I have seen a well-constructed illicit refinery with such a wide variety of pipes strung around the area,” Ogar said.
Based on ongoing intelligence, we were able to find this illegal bunkering location. The offenders used a pipeline bulk delivery to access the Heirs Holding Oil and Gas complex, siphoning crude oil through expertly built pipes to their unauthorized local refinery.
We have started a thorough inquiry because we believe that someone must have given the bunkers permission to use this area of land.
Without compromise, we will go after them and see to it that the illegal dealings in petroleum products are reduced significantly to boost the nation’s economy once more, he said, adding that the NSCDC had a clear mandate to protect crucial national assets and infrastructure throughout the federation.
Operators of nearby refineries and those still stealing oil were warned by Ogar to leave the area or face the full wrath of the law.
