By Admin 
In a bold and daring operation, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has uncovered five illegal crude oil dump sites hidden in plain sight within the Jahi/Katampe axis of Abuja. The discovery has shocked many, especially considering the location—an area typically associated with affluence and tranquility, not criminal oil operations.
The NSCDC’s breakthrough came through its elite unit, the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS), whose surveillance and field intelligence led them straight to the illegal facilities. What they found was nothing short of a makeshift oil empire operating under the radar.
Seven suspects were apprehended during the operation. According to the NSCDC spokesperson, Afolabi Babawale, the individuals are believed to be key members of a well-coordinated syndicate involved in the theft, refining, and distribution of crude oil and its byproducts. The scale of the setup suggests a high level of planning and technical knowledge.
Among the most striking seizures was a white truck with three separate compartments, fully loaded with 45,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), all being transported with an unverifiable waybill—raising immediate red flags. In addition to this, four Mercedes-Benz short peddler trucks and several other vehicles were confiscated, all linked to the movement of the stolen product.
The operation also led to the discovery of pumping machines, industrial-sized hoses, a Mikano generator, and roughly 23 surface metallic tanks—some of which were filled with significant quantities of suspected AGO. A container shelter believed to have served as a control or operational hub was also dismantled, alongside other key equipment used in the illicit business.
The NSCDC emphasized that this successful raid underscores their zero-tolerance policy for crude oil theft, a crime that not only drains the economy but also poses serious environmental and security threats. Babawale reaffirmed that the arrested suspects would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, warning others involved in similar activities that their days are numbered.
With this discovery, the NSCDC has once again sent a powerful message to criminal networks across the country: oil theft will not go unchecked, no matter where you hide.