The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has made a significant discovery in Ondo State, uncovering an illegal crude oil reservoir hidden in a forest in Obe-Akingboye, Ilaje Local Government Area.
The reservoir was discovered during a joint operation with the Nigeria Army and TANTITA Security Service on Sunday at about 2:12 pm. Although no arrests were made as the suspects had fled the scene, the Ondo State Commandant, Mr Oluyemi Ibiloye, has issued a stern warning to those involved in illegal dealings in petroleum products to desist or face the full weight of the law.
The illegal crude oil reservoir was found to be part of a larger operation, with the voluminous crude oil suspected to be siphoned from the Trans-Escravos pipeline. The joint security team, led by the TSSNL commandant in Ondo State, Chief Idowu Asonja, discovered 700 kegs containing 21,000 litres of adulterated crude oil stored in a large, locally-built reservoir. The suspects had been selling the crude oil to local buyers but fled the scene in their speedboats during the gun battle with NSCDC operatives.
This discovery is not an isolated incident, as the NSCDC has been actively working to combat oil theft and vandalism in the region. In a similar operation, the NSCDC dismantled 65 illegal oil dumps and refinery sites in Rivers State, reaffirming its commitment to combating pipeline vandalism and economic sabotage. The Corps Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has emphasized the importance of protecting critical national assets, particularly in the solid minerals sector.
