BY MOYINOLUWA BAMIDELE-LUCAS
Police operatives attached to the IGP Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering in the late hours of August 7, 2022, successfully busted an illegal petroleum refining operation in Edo State.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said in a statement in Abuja on Sunday that the feat followed the interception of intelligence on activities of an alleged illicit petroleum products refining syndicate operating adjacent to Agbor Junction, Benin City, Edo State via a whistle blower through the recently created Nigeria National Petroleum Company’s Command and Control Centre Portal.
Consequent to the raid on the illegal petroleum refining site, Adejobi said three empty DAF trucks, 31 immobile surface tanks, seven of which were loaded with an unspecified quantity of petroleum products, were discovered by the Police. Additionally, he explained that two suspects, one Chinedu Iyanabor, 18 and Sunday Iyagbesun, 52, were arrested during the raid.
Adejobi said preliminary investigations revealed the site was also used as a dumpsite for petroleum products.
“The Inspector-General of Police has tasked special enforcement units on prevention of activities of economic saboteurs to ensure deployment of necessary manpower and other operational assets to ensure a total clampdown on criminal activities detrimental to the economic growth of the nation. The IGP has similarly supervised the strengthening of the Unit with a charge to intensify efforts, in conjunction with local police officers, to sustain police approved operational standards in tackling economic sabotage, crimes and criminality in the country.
“He equally charged the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Unit to embark on strict supervision of the Unit in compliance with the directives.
All suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” Adejobi said.
