CSC Babawale Afolabi, Public Relations Officer at the NSCDC national headquarters in Abuja, announced on Sunday that the arrest was made possible through sustained intelligence indicating the presence of an illegal oil refinery at the site. Many illegally refined petroleum products, suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), were discovered.

"Based on credible intelligence, we swung into action and arrested three suspects at the crime scene with large quantities of illegally refined AGO already stored inside metallic drums while others were inside cellophane bags," Afolabi stated.

The suspects, identified as Happiness Nwankwo, 45; Nnoma Nwankwo, 30; and Favour Amadi, all from Omuma in Rivers State, were caught with numerous drum ovens containing stolen crude oil, industrial hoses used to tap into wellheads, large quantities of stolen crude oil stored in cellophane bags and kegs, metal and plastic buckets, wheelbarrows, shovels, and galvanized metal pipes.

An investigation has commenced to determine the involvement of the three suspects and identify their sponsors. Those found culpable will be charged in court.