The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ebonyi State has uncovered a suspected illegal petroleum refinery in Abakaliki, the state capital. During the operation, an articulated vehicle with Abuja license plate ABC 624 XC was impounded, carrying 45,000 liters of suspected unrefined oil intended for an unlicensed refining site.
The Ebonyi State NSCDC Commandant, Mr. Francis Nnadi, revealed the details at a press conference on Monday, announcing the arrest of four suspected oil thieves who were allegedly transporting the illegal product. According to Nnadi, the product, originally bound for Cross River State, was diverted to an unauthorized dump in Abakaliki, suspected to be a hub for illegal refining.
“Our team, acting on credible intelligence, tracked the truck as it moved from Cross River to Abakaliki,” Nnadi reported. “The vehicle and four suspects were apprehended at a densely populated location along Old Abakaliki-Enugu Road, where we suspect illegal petroleum refining is taking place.”
The Commandant highlighted the severe risks posed by the refinery’s location within a populated area, warning of the dangers associated with storing and refining flammable petroleum products. He issued a stern warning to individuals involved in illegal activities such as pipeline vandalism, oil bunkering, and unauthorized petroleum sales, advising them to cease operations or face prosecution.
“The premises used for this illegal refinery have been sealed, and investigations are ongoing to identify the masterminds behind this economic sabotage,” Nnadi said, adding that the seized product would undergo lab testing, and the suspects would be arraigned following the investigation.
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Mr. Ben Nwachi, the officer leading the NSCDC task force, noted that the truck’s manifest listed the product as “Low Poor Fuel Oil (LPFO)” destined for Cross River, but the team suspects it contained crude oil intended for illegal refining.
“We discovered that the truck involved wasn’t the original vehicle assigned to carry the product according to the waybill,” Nwachi explained. “They attempted to unload it at an unregistered outlet, which is illegal and dangerous.”
Commandant Nnadi called for strengthened collaboration among security agencies and the public, especially as the holiday season approaches, to ensure the state remains secure. He also expressed gratitude to the NSCDC Commandant General, Dr. Ahmed Audi, for his support in safeguarding Ebonyi.
