The IGP Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering (IGP-STFPIB) has recorded a breakthrough in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, when operatives on surveillance patrol intercepted a 40-feet container truck conveying a large quantity of crude products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) stuffed in sacks.
Arrested with the truck, with registration number JRV 322 XV, was the driver, Chukwudi Okafor aged 54, in connection with the offence.
Disclosing this in a statement on Thursday, June 9, 2022, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said that preliminary investigations revealed the driver as a member of a high-powered syndicate responsible for illegal bunkering in the area and beyond, with his arrest providing a lead to the arrest of other members of the syndicate.
The recovered truck with the accompanying product is currently in police custody at the Refinery Life Camp Division, Eleme, pending the conclusion of investigations.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali, has ordered tactical and intelligence commanders of the Nigeria Police Force to deploy assets towards tackling perpetrators of economic crimes aimed at sabotaging and weakening the revenue-generating apparatus of the country.
The IGP pointed out that the actions of the economic saboteurs had become worrisome due to the huge losses being recorded as a result of their criminal activities.
The IGP issued the directives while charging the newly appointed Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the IGP Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering (IGP-STFPIB), ACP Lot Lantoh Garba, to improve on the fight against economic crimes.
Before his appointment, ACP Lot had served in various operational command positions including being Commanding Officer, Special Protection Unit (SPU) Bases 5, Benin; 7, Abuja; and 2, Lagos.
He was equally a one-time Commander, Police Mobile Force (PMF) 23 Obalende, Lagos.
Upon assumption of office, ACP Lot set the ball rolling which led to immediate restructuring of the task force, and continuous decimation of the operations of criminal elements responsible for the theft of crude oil and other petroleum products, as well as illegal bunkering in the country.
The Inspector-General of Police, warned police operatives attached to the Task Force to be focused, committed, and patriotic.
He charged them to discharge their duties devoid of corruption, favouritism, and compromise, while he also warned all economic saboteurs to cease their unwholesome activities or be made to face the full wrath of the law.
