The Ebonyi State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has uncovered a suspected illegal petroleum refinery in Abakaliki.
Officials seized an articulated truck with the number plate Abuja ABC 624 XC, which was attempting to deliver 45,000 liters of what is believed to be stolen, unrefined petroleum to the illicit refinery.
State Commandant Francis Nnadi announced the discovery on Monday, stating that four suspected oil thieves were detained in connection with transporting the petroleum.
“Our personnel, acting on credible intelligence, tracked a truck loaded with suspected unrefined petroleum on Saturday night,” Nnadi said. “The truck was traced from Cross River and apprehended in a heavily populated area at 18 Engr. Abbas Egwu Street, off Ebonyi Voice Newspaper, along the Old Abakaliki-Enugu Road.”
Nnadi noted that the unlicensed refinery’s location in a populated area poses serious safety risks. The premises have been sealed, and further investigation is underway to identify all parties involved in the operation.
The detained petroleum will undergo laboratory analysis, and the suspects will be charged after the investigation.
Ben Nwachi, the NSCDC officer who led the operation, stated, “According to the waybill, the truck was headed to Cross River carrying Low Poor Fuel Oil, but it appears to be crude oil. The truck compartments were locked to obscure the contents, and the facility lacks the license required for discharging petroleum products, which must be transported only to licensed outlets.”