The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has announced the arrest of five people suspected of involvement in illegal oil bunkering in Imo State.

According to the NSCDC Commandant in the state, Matthew Ovye, four vehicles were impounded from the suspects.

Mr Ovye said on Tuesday in Owerri that the suspects were arrested at Abacheke and Agwa communities in the Ohaji-Egbema and Oguta Local Government Areas of the state respectively.

He said that 30,000 litres of oil were recovered from the suspects during the operation conducted by the corps’ Special Intelligence Squad, following a tip-off.

He added that one more suspect and a vehicle were apprehended by the anti-vandalism team of the NSCDC on Monday.

The commandant said the command succeeded in decimating vandals in the state and would continue to protect national assets and infrastructure.

“In the past, they used to move with trucks, but now they use saloon cars and smaller vehicles, meaning that we have really decimated them and they are now in hiding.

 “With the CG’s combined team and holistic synergy with sister agencies, we’ll nip this in the bud,” he said.

Mr Ovye said that the suspects would be prosecuted after investigations and urged residents to report suspected criminals to security agencies for prompt action. 

(NAN)