The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Akwa Ibom State Command yesterday said its operatives arrested two suspected oil thieves for allegedly engaging in pipeline vandalism and operating an illegal tank farm in Eket LGA.
The raid on the facility led to the seizure of 130 drums loaded with illegally refined petroleum products including diesel, five pumping machines, three generator sets, a brown Ford Ecoline van with registration number; AWK 583 SZ, and 27 jerry cans in the operation led by CSC Edem Sunday.
Briefing journalists at the weekend, the public relations officer (PRO), DSC Ekerette Friday, listed other items seized to include seven hoses of different lengths and about 3,700 litres of kerosene.
He said that the illegal site was being used by the suspects to store Automative Gas Oil (Diesel) and Dual Purpose Kerosene for distribution to various parts of the state, adding that the building used for the illegal activity is a 10-room apartment located in a residential area in Ikot Udoma.
“The newly re-organised anti-vandal squad led by CSC Edem Sunday, acting on intelligence, stormed the apartment used for the illicit act in Ikot Udoma in Eket LGA”.
“Two suspects were arrested and have volunteered useful statement to help with investigations. The suspects are: Francis Udoh Warri, ‘M’, 55 years and Uduak Sunday Johnson, ‘M’, 42 years. Other suspects within the building fled on sighting NSCDC officials,” he said.
