The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ebonyi State has reported the discovery of a suspected illegal petroleum refinery in Abakaliki, the state capital.
The command intercepted an articulated truck with the license plate Abuja ABC 624 XC, carrying 45,000 liters of suspected stolen, unrefined petroleum, which was intended for discharge at the refinery.
During a press briefing in Abakaliki, Francis Nnadi, the NSCDC state commandant, announced the arrest of four individuals allegedly involved in the illegal transport of the product.
Nnadi explained: “On Saturday night, based on reliable intelligence, our personnel tracked a truck loaded with suspected unrefined petroleum brought from Cross River to Abakaliki. The vehicle and the suspects were apprehended in a densely populated area at 18 Engr. Abbas Egwu Street, near Ebonyi Voice Newspaper along the Old Abakaliki-Enugu Road.”
He further noted, “This site is believed to be used for illegal petroleum refining, which poses a serious hazard due to the flammable nature of these products, especially in a residential area.”
The premises have since been sealed, and the product will undergo lab analysis. The suspects are to be prosecuted after the investigation concludes.
Ben Nwachi, the NSCDC officer leading the team that made the arrests, commented: “The waybill states the truck is transporting Low Poor Fuel Oil to Cross River, but the substance is likely crude oil. The truck’s compartments were locked in a way that made it difficult to verify the contents. Discharging fuel in an unregistered facility is a violation, as such products should only go from depots to licensed outlets.”