The Abia State Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, said it has discovered an illegal refinery being operated inside a bush in Isiala Ihie community of Ugwunagbo LGA of Abia State.
The command also arrested two suspects in the area and discovered large quantities of petroleum products suspected to have been tapped from a nearby vandalised petroleum pipeline.
The arrest was made by the Crack Squad when it uncovered an illegal refinery cleverly hidden in the forest of Isiala Ihie community, according to a press statement by Doreen Udugwu, the Public Relations Officer of the Abia State Command of NSCDC.
According to the statement, during the sting operation, large quantities of petroleum products at various stages of processing were seized by the crack squad.
While addressing journalists on Wednesday in his office, the commandant of NSCDC in Abia State, Akinsola Aderemi, disclosed that further investigations would be carried out to identify and apprehend all individuals involved in the dastardly act.
He noted that the busting of the illegal refinery and arrest of the suspects were in line with the directive of the Commandant General of NSCDC, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, to fight against illegal bunkering.
Akinsola said the Abia State Command will spare no effort in ensuring that the state remains safe and secure for all law-abiding citizens.
He further called upon the public to collaborate with NSCDC by providing credible intelligence that would aid the arrest of criminal-minded persons.