The Nigeria Police Force has reiterated its resolve to sustain the fight against economic sabotage, pipeline vandalism, and bunkering especially with the recent restructuring and appointment of ACP Lot Garba as the Commander, IGP Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering.
The Police said the restructuring (IGP-STFPIB), has brought about improved capacity, thorough practical training, investigative and operational assets which has been largely instrumental in bringing the purveyors of criminal activities against the economy to justice.
“As part of a very recent briefing of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee to Investigate Oil Lifting, Theft and the Impact on Petroleum Production and Oil Revenues on Wednesday 21st September, 2022, a report of the activities of the Task Force was presented which shows a deliberately sustained fight with salient achievements including the seizure of 1,301,020 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 135,000 litres of crude oil, 4,900 litres of premium motor spirit (PMS), 45,000 litres of engine oil, and 123 Tankers, with 52 cases currently under prosecution nationwide” the force said.
“Operatives of the IGP-STFPIB under the Command of ACP Garba, has equally latched onto the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Command and Control Centre Portal where actionable intelligence have been received and acted upon leading to several operational successes”.
Reacting to allegation of complicity involving its officers in oil theft and economic sabotage in a petition, the Police said, “The allegations are baseless and lacking any vital leads. More so, one would expect a concerned Nigerian with such weighty allegations to be bold and assertive enough to reveal his identity so as to substantiate his claims, just like a whistle blower.
“It is pertinent to state that stamping out and clamping down on illegality and criminality comes with a price, particularly in oil bunkering activities of cabals.
“Expectedly, these individuals would go to any length to pervert the cause of justice, including making attempts to soil individuals’ names and reputations, since the Taskforce has been an obstacle to their continuous illegal operations in the oil-rich areas.
“In as much as we don’t intend to dignify the antics of criminals, economic saboteurs and their agents, we are duty bound to set the records straight and disabuse the minds of well-meaning Nigerians and concerned groups on this campaign of calumny and calculated attempt to heat up the polity at this crucial time of our beloved nation.
“The Force however urge the “concerned Nigerian” to come up with his claims and credible evidence, if any, for proper investigation.”
