By John Ugo, Awka
The Anambra’ State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has arrested eight suspects for allegedly dealing in and transporting adulterated petroleum products.
Mr Isidore Chikere, Commandant, NSCDC in the state disclosed this when he paraded the suspects before newsmen on Friday in Awka the Anambra’ state capital.
He said the suspects were arrested on Oct.5 and Oct.6 in Awka.
Chikere said, the Anti-Vandals team arrested; Ahmed Luka, John Sari, Mohammed Sani, and Ali Ahmed Jafara all from Nasarawa State at about 9.30pm on Oct.5 at Immigration Junction Awka with truck conveying adulterated petroleum.
According to him, the following day, at about 1.am, the team intercepted and arrested another four; Christian Atser, James Tersoo both from Benue, Jerry Agar (Nasarawa) and Silas Motoko, from Kwara at a filling station in Umuokpu community in Awka.
He said the suspects were transferring the fake product using pumping machine at a filling station in Umuokpu Awka area.
The NSCDC commandant said that the team recovered two tankers carrying 40, 000 litres of suspected adulterated petroleum products during the operation. They were marked Nasarawa: KRV 825 XB and Bauchi: BAU595XR
He said that one long hose, and a pumping machine were recovered from the suspects.
The Command attributed the arrest of the suspects to improved operational strategies put in place by the command, warned illegal petroleum dealers to relocate from the state.
“The NSCDC under my watch has intensify effort towards eradication of the menace of oil theft and economic sabotage of the federal government’s main revenue source,” he said.
Chikere commended Dr Ahmed Audi, Commandant General (CG) of the Corps and Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra for their support.
“The three policy of “Rejig, Revamp and Reinivegerate of our CG and support we receive from Gov. Soludo and other sister agencies have placed officers and men of the corps on their toes to deliver on its mandate,” he said.
He added that the suspects would be arraigned in court as soon as investigations are completed even as he added that the command would continue to protect critical assets and infrastructures in the state.
