NSCDC uncovers illegal petroleum refinery in Ebonyi

The Ebonyi State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said it has uncovered a suspected illegal petroleum refinery in Abakaliki, the state capital.

The corps said it impounded an articulated vehicle about to discharge 45,000 litres of suspected stolen unrefined petroleum product at the refinery located at 18 Engr. Abbas Egwu Street, off Ebonyi Voice Newspaper, along the Old Abakaliki-Enugu Road.

The NSCDC state commandant, Francis Nnadi announced this in a press conference on Monday in Abakaliki, noting that four suspected oil thieves involved in the illegal transportation of the petroleum product were arrested.

Noting the danger such illegal site could cause to residents, the commandant stated that the premises used for the alleged illegal refinery have been sealed and that further investigations are ongoing to unmask those involved in the economic sabotage.

He further disclosed that the impounded product would undergo laboratory analysis while the suspects would be arraigned in court at the end of the investigation.