The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has warned that there would be severe sanctions for criminal who engage on illegal bunkering and illegal refining of oil products, which is capable of sabotaging the economy of the country.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP, Olumuyiwa Adejobi and made available to Channel Network Afrique, CNA.
The statement quoted the IGP of making the declaration while commending the Task Force on the interception of a seagoing 12-compartments barge known as “Rainbow-I” with Registration No. 8765432 laden with about 350,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) suspected to be illegally refined.
Four suspects were arrested by the Inspector-General of Police Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering (IGP-STFPIB) on 10th June, 2021 at Slaughter Area of Trans Amadi, Port Harcourt.
According to the statement, preliminary investigations as well as analysis carried out on the samples by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority based in Port Harcourt, confirm that the product is adulterated, and unfit for sale to the public.
The IGP also charged members of the special teams set up to monitor, investigate, apprehend, and prosecute purveyors of these crimes to renew their offensive against crimes as well as professionally shun all manner of corruption to ensure that offenders are made to face the full wrath of the law.
The Inspector-General of Police however, warned all economic saboteurs to cease else the long arm of the law will catch up with them.
The IGP further tasked personnel of the IGP-STFPIB to be steadfast in discharging their responsibilities as the four suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
