A combined team of security operatives comprising the Police, Navy and Army on Tuesday raided the criminal hideouts of illegally refined diesel marketers in Ubeji, Ifiekporo and other areas notorious for illegal refinery activities in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The operation, led by the police area commander in Warri, Mohammed Garba, saw the area commander destroying makeshift shanties and illegal products suspected to be illegally refined diesel.
Though no arrest was made, the team however seized a minivan used in the distribution of illegally processed diesel.
Driver of the van on seeing the team jumped out of the van and took to his heels leaving the van and the products behind.
Speaking on the raid, the Warri area commander lamented the economic sabotage being carried out by oil thieves, and promised not to compromise in bringing criminal elements to book in his areas of operation.
The exercise, according to the police area commander, will be a continuous one in compliance with the directives of the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.
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“We embarked on this raid because of series of reports from both the citizens and government. We have been receiving reports that there is heavy illegal diesel bunkering going on in that community. So, we have to mobilise a combine force of military men comprising the police, the Navy, the Air Force and the Army.
“As you can see when we got here we discovered that the illegal business is still going on despite the fact that we have raided this place before.
“We are warning all those involved in this illegal business that the long arm of the law will catch up with them and by that time we will not show mercy to anybody that is caught because this is Economics sabotage.
“This illegal sabotage of the economy must stop and we will continue to raid these areas because we cannot continue to allow some few individuals continue to sabotage our economy,” he said.
Speaking on the security situation in his area of jurisdiction as we approach Christmas, Garba said, “Warri is very peaceful as you can see and we will continue to raid all criminal hide outs and ensure that we nip any crime that is about to rear its ugly head in the bud. I want to assure all resident living in Warri that their safety is our top priority this festive period and beyond.
