Police operatives have arrested an eight-month-pregnant woman, identified as the leader of an oil bunkering syndicate, along with her husband and six others, for their alleged involvement in illegal oil bunkering activities in Nigeria’s South-East.
During a press briefing in Abuja, Force spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi revealed that the suspects were apprehended on July 4. While the specific state was not mentioned, Adejobi stated that the group was part of an organized syndicate engaged in tampering with oil pipelines and theft.
“On July 4, 2024, members of the Taskforce assigned to the South-East Surveillance intercepted three wooden boats loaded with 160 sacks of petroleum products suspected to have been illegally obtained. During the operation, two suspects, Peace Moweeloh and Goodness Michael Chidinma, were arrested,” Adejobi reported.
The arrests were made by the Inspector-General of Police’s Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering. Preliminary investigations led to the apprehension of two additional suspects: Alh Yerima Adamu and Igboke Banks Ude.
Among those taken into custody is the pregnant woman, who has been identified as the syndicate’s leader, along with her husband. The suspects have confessed to aiding and abetting the organized group responsible for tampering with oil pipelines and theft. The case has been filed, and all four suspects have been remanded in prison.
Adejobi also highlighted the efforts of the Inspector-General of Police to strengthen the Nigeria Police Force’s anti-oil theft operations, noting significant collaboration with the Nigerian Navy through the NPF Marine Unit. He further mentioned that the marine unit is expected to receive 20 additional boats soon.
