Onyedi Igwe, Port Harcourt
Operatives of the Rivers State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have arrested five suspects in connection with the fire incident at the EFCC exhibit dump in Port Harcourt.
The Network reliably gathered that the several tankers laden with illegal refined petroleum products were destroyed in the inferno at the dump located at Iriebe, Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state.
The Network gathered that the dump sight was jointly owned by the NSCDC and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The Rivers State Commandant, of the NSCDC, Mr Abu Tambuwal, said that the fire was an act of sabotage by evil people out to settle scores with the NSCDC.
The NSCDC Commandant said that all the five suspects arrested in connection with the fire incident would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
He stressed that there is no going back in the ongoing campaign against illegal bunkering.
He said, “Obviously this occurrence is an act of Sabotage by evil minded persons who want to get back to the NSCDC at all cost.
“We will not be deterred in our dogged and resolute fight against vandalism of oil pipelines and illegal dealings in Petroleum products.
“We thank the Federal and State Fire Services, the fire fighters unit from Shell Petroleum Company and everyone who collaborated with the NSCDC and EFCC in curtailing the spread of the inferno across neighboring properties.
“The need for stronger synergy amongst security agencies is very paramount, most especially in the area of intelligence and information sharing as this would definitely enhance the security architecture of the state”.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSC. Olufemi Ayodele, said in a statement on Tuesday the exhibits were already forfeited by a court order.
He quoted the NSCDC Assistant Commandant-General in charge of Zone L comprising Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, ACG James Bassey, as having described the incident as unfortunate.
