The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Delta has arrested 19 suspects for allegedly being in possession of illegally refined fuel.
NSCDC Public Relations officer in the state, Mr Emeka Peters, disclosed this in a statement which he made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Asaba.
Quoting NSCDC Delta Commandant, Akinsanya Abiodun, the statement said that apart from the 19 apprehended suspects, two tankers and seven trucks were impounded.
He said that two of the suspects were arrested by the Anti-Vandal Unit of the command in the Patani Local Government Area (LGA) on March 9.
The commandant said that both suspects were conveying kerosene, suspected to have been illegally refined, in polythene bags inside a Mercedes 817 truck.
He said that the 17 other suspects were nabbed in Ozoro, the headquarters of Isoko North LGA, for being in possession of diesel, suspected to have also been illegally  refined.
These 17 other suspects, according to the statement, were picked by the command’s Intelligence Squad.
The Commandant pointed out that the fight against pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, general vandalism and all round criminality has been taken to an enviable and achievable pedestal in the state.
He warned criminals and other enemies of the state to either repent and abandon criminality or relocate from the state.
Abiodun assured the public that after investigation, the suspects would be charged to court to serve as a deterrent to others.
(NAN)