Agency arrests 2 suspected oil thieves in Bayelsa

The BayelsaCommand of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) had arrested two suspected oil thieves at Igbomatoru community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

The State Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr Desmond Agu made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in on Tuesday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital.

Agu said that the suspects were arrested with a crude oil-laden boat.

According to him, the boat containing a yet-to-be ascertained volume of crude oil, including the suspects, are in the custody of the NSCDC.

"The suspects were arrested on Sunday night when they were conveying the consignment of crude.

He said that the command would arraign the two male suspects, aged 19 and 25, on conclusion of preliminary investigation.

The NSCDC boss said that the Anti-Vandalism Unit of the NSCDC in collaboration with a private security firm, `Guardian Dragon’, arrestedthe suspects.

Agu said that the NSCDC and the security firm also impounded the boat and its cargo near Agip’s oil field in Igbomatoru community.

He said that the command had launched a manhunt for the alleged sponsor of the suspected oil thieves.

The NSCDC boss noted that his command had intensified patrols in the creeks and waterways to protect oil installations.

Agu, therefore, solicited the support of community leaders in oil communities and urged them to prevail on their subjects to refrain from oil theft and illegal bunkering.

He also appealed to the community leaders to resist the temptation of allowing strangers to use their domain to perpetrate oil theft and sabotage the state and Federal Government of huge revenue.

Agu said that the fight against oil theft and pipeline vandalism was a collective responsibility and described the act as an economic sabotage to the nation.