The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Rivers State Command, has uncovered an isolated facility in Igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Government Area, being used to store suspected stolen crude oil.
Operatives from the NSCDC Rivers Command discovered a substantial quantity of an unquantified substance believed to be crude oil at the site. Preliminary information indicates the product was siphoned from a vandalised pipeline and temporarily stored in a General Purpose (GP) tank on the premises.
The facility, located in a secluded area of Igwuruta, was seized during a targeted operation by the command. Officials say the discovery underscores ongoing efforts by security agencies to curb oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region.
An NSCDC spokesperson confirmed the find and said the command is coordinating with relevant oil-sector authorities and law enforcement agencies to investigate the incident, determine the source of the crude, and trace those responsible for the vandalism and illegal storage. The suspected stolen product will be subjected to forensic testing to establish its origin.
Authorities have also reported that the facility has been secured to preserve evidence. Further operations are expected in the area as part of a broader crackdown on illegal refining and oil theft.
Oil theft and pipeline vandalism remain major security and environmental challenges in the Niger Delta, causing significant economic losses and ecological damage. Security agencies, oil companies, and community stakeholders continue to collaborate to address the problem through surveillance, intelligence-led operations, and community engagement.
The NSCDC has urged anyone with information about the facility or suspected illegal oil activities in the area to contact the Rivers State Command or relevant authorities. Investigations are ongoing.
Full details will follow as the investigation progresses.
