By JOHNSON EYIANGHO (Abuja)
The Inspector- General of Police Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering (IGP-STFPIB) has raided an illegal petroleum refining site in Benin, the Edo State capital and arrested two suspects, Chinedu Iyanabor, 18 and Sunday Iyagbesun, 52.
Police spokesman, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said in statement on Sunday that the raid and arrest followed the interception of intelligence on activities of an alleged illicit petroleum products refining syndicate operating adjacent to Agbor Junction in Benin City.
Adejobi said that preliminary investigations revealed the site was also used as a dumpsite for petroleum products.
”Consequent to the raid on the illegal petroleum refining site, three empty DAF Trucks, 31 immobile surface tanks – seven of which were loaded with unspecified quantity of petroleum products, were discovered by the police,” he said.
He said the IGP had tasked the special enforcement units on prevention of activities of economic saboteurs to ensure deployment of necessary manpower and other operational assets to ensure a total clampdown on criminal activities detriment to the economic growth of the nation.
The IGP also charged the unit to intensify efforts, in conjunction with local police officers, to sustain police approved operational standards in tackling economic sabotage, crimes and criminality in the country.
He charged the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the unit to embark on strict supervision of the unit in compliance with the directives.