Police arrests four with 800,000 litres of illegally refined petroleum products

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a vessel with 800, 000 litres of illegally refined AGO (Diesel) loaded from Port Harcourt alongside four suspects in connection with the crime in Lagos.

The suspects: Olajide Kabir (Nakem Deport Manager), Ogbolu Louis (Captain), Izuazu Anayo (Chief Engineer) Solomon Agbanoma (Able Seaman) were arrested on the 6th February, 2017 at about 2:17 a.m.

Parading the suspects at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Jimoh Moshood said that after a sustained surveillance and monitoring of MT JAZZI VESSEL and crew members sailing from the creeks of Port Harcourt in Rivers state through the waterway to Lagos state with the 800, 000 litres of illegally refined AGO (Diesel).

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.

He said, “The vessel and the three crew members and the Manager of the Nakem deport where the illegally refined AGO (Diesel) was discharged were arrested.

The eight hundred t800,000 litres of AGO (Diesel) 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.”

It was also gathered that the DRP Certificate of Laboratory Analysis confirmed that the illegally refined (AGO) is off specification.

Meanwhile, investigation is said to have intensified to arrest the collaborators and sponsors of the criminal act.

The Force spokesperson however noted that the suspects will be charged to court on completion of investigation for dealing in suspected illegally refined petroleum products AGO (Diesel) under the petroleum and miscellaneous offences acts.

He more so emphasized that, “the constant vandalization of Pipelines, destruction of oil and gas facilities and illegal oil bunkering in the country is of great concern to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris, NPM, mni.

This criminal act is worrisome because of the consequences of economic hardship, damage to public infrastructures, and loss of Government huge investments in the oil sector.

“In order to halt this trend of wanton destruction of lives and property in a critical sector of the economy, the IGP has reorganized and empowered IGP’S Task Force on Illegal Petroleum Bunkering to decisively tackle these criminals and their collaborators.”

On behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, the FPPRO also appreciated the members of the public, most especially Public Spirited individuals for their timely and useful information to the Force that have led to many success stories.

He assured wish Nigerians of the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force in ensuring safety for all Nigerian and the community at large.

Noting that the police is determined to make sure that there is social production, economic growth and development in the country.