Nigeria Police Force has reported the arrest of an 8-month pregnant woman, alleged to be the leader of an oil bunkering syndicate.
The woman was nabbed alongside her husband and 6 others for their roles in supporting an organized group that specializes in tampering with and stealing from oil pipelines.
During a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police force’s public relations officer, revealed that this arrest was a result of the efforts by the IGP’s special task force on petroleum and illegal bunkering, aiming to strengthen the Nigeria Police Force’s activities against oil theft.
While Adejobi did not specify the exact location, he mentioned that the suspects were involved in aiding and abetting a syndicate focused on tampering with oil pipelines and theft.
Adejobi stated, “On 4th July 2024, personnel of the Taskforce attached to the South-East Surveillance intercepted three (3) wooden boats loaded with one hundred and sixty (160) sacks of petroleum product suspected to have been illicitly acquired. During the operation, two (2) suspects viz: i) Peace Moweeloh ‘f’ and ii) Goodness Michael Chidinma ‘f’ were apprehended.
“Preliminary investigation led to the arrest of two (2) other suspects viz: i) Alh Yerima Adamu and ii) Igboke Banks Ude.
“Among the suspects is an eight (8) month old pregnant woman who is the leader of the syndicate along with her husband. The suspects confessed to their involvement in aiding and abetting an organized syndicate specialized in tampering with oil pipelines and stealing therefrom. The case has been filed and all the four suspects remanded in prison.”
Adejobi also noted that, as part of the IGP’s efforts to combat oil theft, there has been substantial support for the Nigerian Navy through the NPF Marine Unit, with the addition of 20 new boats expected soon.
Furthermore, the force public relations officer mentioned that the IGP has instructed the heads of all tactical units to ensure the swift prosecution of suspects and the forfeiture of stolen items, products, and exhibits.