The Cross River Command, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it has arrested seven suspects over alleged illegal oil bunkering and adulteration of crude oil worth over N10 million in Calabar.
The State Commandant of NSCDC, Stephen Lar, made this known while addressing reporters in Calabar South on Wednesday.
Lar stated that the command had declared zero tolerance for illegal crude activities in the area, adding that the suspects would be prosecuted as soon as investigation was completed.
He said, “In keeping with our core mandate of protecting Nigeria’s critical national asset, particularly the oil sector; we carried out an operation early this morning following a tip-off.
“This channel is being used in carrying products into the town. We came here this morning and found the illegality of transporting adulterated petroleum product through this channel.
“We were able to recover 200 drums of adulterated crude and we arrested seven suspects in connection with this economic sabotage. Some of the suspects escaped; we are trailing them.
“Cross River has no pipeline, but it is a route for bunkers. When they have gone to other places to carry out these illegal activities, they use Cross River to pass through.”
Lar said that NSCDC was determined in ensuring that the route was no longer used by bunkers for sabotaging the nation’s economic resources.
He said that the act portended a serious danger to the country’s economy while expressing dissatisfaction with individuals who create artificial refinery to refine adulterated products.