Oil Thieves In Nigeria Are Untouchable

An investigative team from the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, in Nigeria’s  Rivers State, helplessly watched adulterators of kerosene yesterday as it uncovered an illegal oil bunkering depot at Mbiama, Ahoada West Local Government. But the team could not make any arrest, citing a legal handicap.

After several dozens of deaths recorded almost on daily basis in Rivers State for about two months now, there has been outcry from members of the public and the doctors at Burns Unit in both Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital, BMSH, at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, UPTH, for an investigation into the sources of the killer kerosene in the State.

Based on hints from members of the public, the Zonal Operational Controller of DPR, Mrs Oyebuchi Sebeudu, led an investigating team to the illegal oil bunkering depot at the Mbiama.

Some youths who were unfazed on sighting the DPR team said: “We don’t have job. We are into this business to raise money to  pay for our school fees.”

Oyebuchi who watched helplessly as her team came face-to-face with the merchant’s of death said that DPR has no powers to arrest illegal oil bunkerers. She said the power lies with  the Police and other security agencies.

She said the different samples of kerosene collected from the oil thieves will be subjected to  laboratory tests to ascertain  their genuineness.

The DPR boss has however cautioned the public to stop patronizing roadside dealers of kerosene to avoid the adulterated product.

—Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt