In a significant crackdown on oil theft and vandalism, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Abia State Command has apprehended three individuals involved in the sabotage of national resources.
The arrests were made in Umuowaga Umuelechi Obuzo Asa, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, as part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal dealings in petroleum products.
The operation, which took place on February 10, 2025, at approximately 20:39 UTC, led to the capture of Oscar Eteobong, aged 37, from Abak LGA, Isaac Aniete Edemba Udoh, aged 40, from Obot Akara LGA, both in Akwa Ibom State, and Emmanuel Uzoma Sunday, aged 20, from Isiala-Ngwa North LGA in Abia State.
The trio was found to be directly involved in the vandalism of an oil pipeline, oil theft, and the illegal sale of petroleum products, activities which have been a persistent thorn in the side of Nigeria’s oil industry.
Commandant Akinsola Aderemi of the Abia State NSCDC confirmed the arrests, stating, “Our team discovered substantial quantities of petroleum products during the operation, which were evidently stolen from a vandalized pipeline.
This operation underscores our commitment to rooting out these criminal elements that sabotage our nation’s economy.”
The suspects were caught in the act of siphoning oil from a pipeline, a method commonly used by thieves to extract crude oil or refined products for black market sales.
This form of economic sabotage not only leads to significant financial losses for the country but also poses environmental hazards due to oil spills that often result from such illegal activities.
The issue of pipeline vandalism and oil theft has long plagued Nigeria, particularly in regions like the Niger Delta, where the dense network of pipelines presents numerous opportunities for criminal exploitation.
This recent incident in Abia State adds to the growing list of challenges facing Nigeria’s security forces in their bid to protect the nation’s critical oil infrastructure.
Commandant Aderemi of NSCDC further elaborated on the broader implications of such crimes, “These activities not only undermine our economy but also threaten our national security and the environment. We are intensifying our efforts to ensure that all individuals involved in this criminal enterprise are identified and apprehended.”
The NSCDC has been actively working to address these issues, with this operation being one of many aimed at disrupting the networks that facilitate oil theft.
The Corps has also been collaborating with other security agencies to enhance surveillance and response strategies across the oil-rich regions of Nigeria.
The arrested individuals are currently under investigation, with the NSCDC promising a thorough probe to uncover any larger networks they might be part of.
Commandant Aderemi issued a stern warning to others involved in similar activities, “We urge all criminal elements to desist from these illegal operations or face the full wrath of the law. Our resolve is firm, and our operations will continue unabated.”
This incident highlights the persistent challenge of securing Nigeria’s oil infrastructure against vandalism and theft, a battle that requires continuous vigilance and cooperation among various stakeholders to protect one of the country’s most valuable resources.
The NSCDC’s success in this operation serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s economic lifeline from the hands of criminals.
