Men of the Nigeria security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC Friday afternoon paraded four suspects over involvement in illegal dealings in petroleum products.
Parading the suspects, Chinedu owen (34), Mustapha Adamu (36), Isah Adamu (32) and Anas Muhammed, the new state Commandant, Muhammad Hassan Sanyinna said “three of the suspects were arrested at Ubakala in Umuahia South LGA junction, along Enugu-PH Express way while conveying about 33,000 litres of bitumen in a truck”.
The other suspect he said “Was arrested at same Ubakala junction, conveying 50,000 litres of DPK (kerosene) in a Mark truck.”
According to Muhammad Hassan Sanyinna, “the two trucks were impounded, while a passenger car loaded with 800 litres of suspected adulterated AGO was intercepted at Owazah in Ukwa East LGA of the state after some suspects abandoned it on sighting the men of Anti-Vandal team who were on routine patrol”.
The Commandant noted “upon interrogation, the arrested suspects have no Operational License, no haulage Permit and the products have no purchase receipts”, stating that the Corps is doing further investigation to unravel more to the illegality.
While thanking the Commandant General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi for his support in terms of logistics and welfare packages, he attributed the “renewed vigour and commitment among his men in the fight against oil theft to the recent promotion exercise during which over 5000 personnel were promoted”, explaining that the command’s performance index is expected to rise in the days ahead.
The state Commandant commended the gallantry and professionalism of his officers and men who he said acted on a tip-off to arrest the suspects and warned illegal oil dealers to consider other legitimate businesses to do “as the corps will not spare anyone caught in oil theft or any other form of illegal dealing in petroleum products”.
He assured that at the conclusion of investigations, the suspects will be charged to court for diligent prosecution.
Fielding questions from newsmen, one of the suspects, Chinedu Owen from Rivers State said he was only transporting a product trans-loaded from a broken down truck in Aba and was heading to Ohafia when he was intercepted at Ubakala junction, while Mustapha Adamu said his principal, simply known to him as He Mekus has the receipts.
Chinedu Owen, whose maternal home is Abia said he was paid N30,000 to b transport the petroleum product “whose content I do not know” to one “Oga Don” who will be waiting for him at Abiriba junction”.
Chinedu Owen said since his arrest, Don has repeatedly assured him through the phone that he will be coming to release him but was yet to sqhow up.
