The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested three suspects and seized five trucks loaded with 225,000 litres of adulterated Automotive Gass Oil (AGO) otherwise called diesel in Akwa Ibom State.
The NSCDC commandant, Mr. Sulieman Mafara, stated this while interacting with newsmen at the command’s exhibits yard in Uyo Monday.
Mafara said the suspects were arrested based on intelligence and surveillance by operatives of the Anti Vandals of the NSCDC, Akwa Ibom command on September 9th along Port Harcourt bridge by East-West expressway.
The commandant noted that two of the suspects abandoned their vehicle and escaped when they cited operatives of NSCDC.
He said the command would not relent in its mandate of protecting government critical assets and infrastructure from vandalism.
He said the activities of oil theft and illegal refineries were economic sabotage, adding that the command would not give them any breathing space to operate in the state.
“We are here to parade the suspects and the trucks arrested and seized. It was on the 9th September, 2022 following a credible intelligence and sustained surveillance by officers and men of the anti-vandal unit of the command that came across five trucks loaded with illegally refined AGO.
“But, citing my officers and men on the patrol, two of the suspects took to their hills and my men were able to arrest three drivers and seized the five trucks.
“The NSCDC) under the leadership of Dr. Ahmed Audi, will not relent in its efforts in curbing oil bunkering and theft in the Niger Delta.
“This poses serious economic implications on the Nigerian economy. So, in line with federal government’s bid to bring an end to this menace, the Commandant-General has charged and supported us and the support is what led the success we have recorded,” he stated.
