Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday, stormed the Port Harcourt refinery to quiz the Acting Managing Director’s office, Mr. Jelili Ademoye.
This happened barely a few hours after the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) removed the Managing Directors of its three state-owned refineries.
The NNPC on Tuesday night sacked the Managing Director of the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited (PHRC), Ibrahim Onoja; the Managing Director of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC), Dr Mustafa Sugungun; and the Managing Director of Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company Limited (WRPC), Efifia Chu.
The shake-up followed questioning by industry experts on the NNPCL operational integrity, particularly regarding transparency and efficiency.
Reports said that the EFCC officials, who arrived at the Port Harcourt refinery between 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, ignored protocol and marched straight to Ademoye’s office before whisking him into a car.
Ademoye is the next officer who automatically took over from the Managing Director.
suggested that the EFCC officials were at the refinery to authenticate the availability of vital documents left by the out-going Managing Director.
A source at the refinery who spoke in anonymity said, “What we witnessed today was not law enforcement—it was a kidnapping dressed in official garb.
“The EFCC’s commando-style raid reeked of desperation, a cheap power play that could have come straight from a crime thriller. And to think, whispers suggest even their Abuja headquarters may be oblivious to this shameful stunt.
“The tension escalated to a terrifying crescendo as an EFCC official cocked his gun, as if daring the other security outfits to stand down.
“In an instant, the DSS, Army, and others drew their weapons, a chilling standoff that could have erupted into tragedy. One reckless move, and innocent lives—fathers, mothers, sons, daughters—could have been lost to this senseless display of bravado.”
* Media Report