The Delta State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested three persons suspected to be involved in illegal oil bunkering in Asaba, the State capital.
LEADERSHIP reports that the suspects were allegedly arrested with 4,000 litres of? petroleum? in Asaba? and was apprehended through a tip-off.
The NSCDC commandant, Adekin Amos Musa, told newsmen in Asaba yesterday that one of the suspects, Ifeanyi Ekete was arrested during their illicit operation around Ibusa road while the others were picked from a business centre.
He said Ifeanyi Ekete had allegedly been involved in illegal oil bunkering? in the last few years and had been? interrogated by men of the anti-vandalism unit of the corps adding that the illegal products were loaded in a Mercedes Tanker with registration number XK 666 BDG and that the suspects were on the verge of distributing the product when they were arrested.
Mr. Adekin disclosed that the suspects and the exhibits are presently in the custody of the command adding that they will be charged to court upon completion of investigation.
LEADERSHIP gathered that illegal activities of faceless petroleum product dealers had been common in Asaba and its environs in the last few years.
The activities of illegal bunkering operators in the state has been a source of concern to stakeholders including Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.
Only recently, the police in Asaba arrested six persons suspected to be involved in bunkering and upon interrogation confessed to the crime.