The Metronidelia Police destroyed illegal petroleum refining places and four suspects were arrested.

Operatives of the Inspector General of Police, Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering (IGP-STFPIB), have busted an illegal oil refinery in Rivers State.

A statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the operation took place on Thursday when operatives of the IGP-STFPIB, together with officers of the Rivers Command, stormed the Trans-Amadi area of Port Harcourt, the Rivers capital. The statement said the operation followed the discovery of a storage facility used to trade and refine illegally obtained crude oil in the area.

Olumuyiwa confirmed that at least four suspects involved in the crime were arrested, noting that about 40,000 litres of petroleum products stored in 67 white tanks were seized. The suspects are Emmanuel Nwachi, Adamu Bala, Nura Musa and Bashir Abubakar.

“The team has however destroyed the site and recovered the equipment and machinery used in committing the crimes.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM., has reemphasized the commitment of the Force to tackling every form of crime, criminality and corruption, extending to those involved in this economic sabotage. The Force remains unyielding and will continue to bring these perpetrators to book,” the statement added.