Police operatives have arrested an eight-month-old pregnant woman who is the leader of an oil bunkering syndicate along with her husband and six others over alleged illegal oil bunkering in the South-East.
Force Spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing in Abuja, the nation’s capital, adding that the suspects were apprehended on July 4.
Though he didn’t disclose the exact state, he said the suspects were involved in aiding and abetting an organized syndicate specialised in tampering with oil pipelines and stealing.
“On 4th July 2024, personnel of the Taskforce attached to the South-East Surveillance intercepted three (3) wooden boats loaded with one hundred and sixty (160) sacks of petroleum product suspected to have been illicitly acquired. During the operation, two (2) suspects viz: i) Peace Moweeloh ‘f’ and ii) Goodness Michael Chidinma ‘f’ were apprehended,” Adejobi stated.
He said the arrest was made by the Inspector-General of Police Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering.
“Preliminary investigation led to the arrest of two (2) other suspects viz: i) Alh Yerima Adamu and ii) Igboke Banks Ude.
“Among the suspects is an eight (8) month old pregnant woman who is the leader of the syndicate along with her husband.
”The suspects confessed to their involvement in aiding and abetting an organized syndicate specialized in tampering with oil pipelines and stealing therefrom. The case has been filed and all the four suspects remanded in prison.”
Adejobi noted that as part of the IGP’s efforts to boost the anti-oil theft activities of the Nigeria Police Force, there has been tremendous support to the Nigerian Navy via the NPF Marine Unit, and the purchase of additional 20 boats for the marine unit to be delivered soon.
