NSCDC arrests two policemen for oil bunkering

Two mobile police officers have been arrested by the  operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for getting involved in connection with illegal oil bunkering in Bayelsa State.

It was learnt that the suspects were three but one of them suspected to be a driver allegedly fled the scene, abandoning a vehicle loaded with the stolen petroleum product and his identification card.

However, the identities of the mobile policemen involved in the illegal oil bunkering were reportedly kept secret following confusion between the two sister security agencies.

The suspected policemen were allegedly arrested last Friday about 5:30pm along Otuasiga Okaki Road in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.

It was learnt that over 412 litres of suspected illegally-refined Automative Gas Oil (diesel) were reportedly recovered from the suspects.

It was further learnt that a special squad of anti-illegal bunkering team of NSCDC immediately conveyed the suspects and their stolen products to the command of NSCDC in Yenagoa.

Efforts to get reaction from the state Commandant of the corps, Mr. Desmond Agu, were unsuccessful as calls to his mobile phone indicated that it was switched off.

But a senior security source, who did not want to be mentioned because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, confirmed that two mobile policemen were arrested by NSCDC for alleged oil theft.

The source stated, “A team of civil defence operatives intercepted them along the Otuasiga Road, Ogbia Local Government Area. They were caught with about 412 litres of adulterated petroleum products.

“They were three but one of them ran away leaving behind the products and his ID card. They are currently being detained at the NSCDC headquarters in Yenagoa.”

But when contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Bayelsa State Command, Mr. Asinim Butswat, said such incident had yet to be reported to the command.