Four Arrested in Abia State for Operating Illegal Refinery

In a recent crackdown on illegal oil refining activities in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) apprehended four suspects for operating an illegal refinery in Abia State.

The suspects were arrested after a 48-hour surveillance operation in and around Obiakpu, Obuzo-Asa, in the Ukwa West area of Abia State.

The Abia State Commandant, Usman Alfadarai, described the arrest as “a major boost in the overall fight against all forms of vandalism of critical national assets and infrastructure, illegal dealing in petroleum products and related economic sabotage against our nation, Nigeria.”

The move comes just a week after Alfadarai took over as the Abia State commandant, sending a strong message to other potential vandals in the region. “This move is a strong statement to the vandals to either turn a new leaf or relocate from the state as the corps will not give any inch of respite to the enemies of the Nigerian economy to operate,” Alfadarai said.

This development follows a series of recent arrests and discoveries of illegal refineries in the Niger Delta region.

In a similar incident, the Tompolo-led Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, in partnership with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), arrested another vessel allegedly stealing crude oil in Bayelsa State.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has also uncovered 83 illegal refineries and arrested 22 suspects in the Niger Delta region.

The company aims to enhance the integrity and functionality of the pipelines to facilitate the efficient transportation of crude oil to refineries and the distribution of its products across the country.

The arrest of the four suspects in Abia State is a significant step in the fight against illegal oil refining activities in Nigeria.

The Nigerian government and its agencies continue to work together to combat these illegal activities and protect the nation’s economy and environment.