Rivers State command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps have uncovered an illegal petroleum dump site in a residential area in Rivers State.


The dump was filled with crude oil and other adulterated petroleum products when a team of NSCDC personnel, led by the state Commandant, Mr. Muhammed Haruna, stormed the place on Monday.

The facility, which was used as a fish pond in the past, was converted to a petroleum dump, where stolen crude oil were stored and later sold to suspected illegal oil dealers.

It was gathered that the illegal oil dump had been in operation for about two years without the knowledge of residents of Mbano Camp in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state.

 Speaking with newsmen at the illegal dump site, the state NSCDC Commandant said the owner of the facility and a worker at the site, Desmond Iheonu, had been arrested.

Haruna said the suspects used the fish pond facilities, including GP tanks, to store stolen crude oil, adding that they (the suspects) would be charged to court at the end of investigation.