Awka – The Anambra State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC on Wednesday, said it had in the past one month, arrested four persons allegedly transporting suspected adulterated petroleum products across the state.
The State NSCDC Commandant, Vincent Ogu disclosed this in a chat with newsmen in Awka yesterday, while parading the suspects at the Command headquarters.
According to Ogu, the arrests, which were effected by the Anti-Vandalism Team of the Command, indicate that it is no longer business as usual for vandals and illegal petroleum product dealers in the state, as the Command is committed to fishing out the perpetrators of these illegal acts.
“In our determination to curb vandalism and illegal dealing in fake petroleum products, on the 26th July, through credible intelligence network, the Anti-Vandalism team of the Anambra Command of the NSCDC, in Ihiala, arrested 34 year old Sunday Nwogu, of Imuoha Mgbidi, Oru LGA of Imo State and intercepted one white Hiace bus with Registration number Ebonyi AKL-518-SP.
“The suspect was arrested on reasonable suspicion and upon searching the vehicle, it was discovered that bus was filled with suspected adulterated Antomotive Gas Oil, AGO starked in 67 celophene bags were concealed in the vehicle for easy conveyance.
“Also on the 4th August at Ihiala, we arrested two suspected vandals, Ejike Nelson ‘42’ and Emeka Okoli ‘45’ both from Obio Akpor village, Egbema Community of Ohaji/Egbema LGA of Imo State, for illegal possession of 50 bags of suspected adulterated Dual Purpose Kerosene, DPK.
“The products loaded in a Nissan bus with an Enugu Registration Number ENU-514-XV, was intercepted by the Command’s Anti-Vandal team, who had been intimated of the activities of the syndicate who specialize in transporting adulterated products in and around the state.
“Furthermore, on the 5th August at Immigration junction, men of the command arrested one Tochukwu Okonkwo, ‘37’ of Eziowele in Idemili North LGA of Anambra State, for transporting 27 bags of suspected adulterated AGO in a Quest Bus with Lagos Registration Number GT 538-EKY,” he recounted.
Commandant Ogu disclosed that all the suspects, at the completion of investigation, will be charged to court of competent jurisdiction.
He regretted that such illegal dealings are acts of economic sabotage, capable of bleeding the Nigerian economy and throwing the country into economic crisis, assuring that the command will sustain the tempo and the force, and ensure that criminally-minded individuals do not see the state as a safe haven to operate.
The Anambra NSCDC boss appealed to the public to always be willing to volunteer credible information that will enable the Command function effectively.
