March 21, (THEWILL)- The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Akwa Ibom Command, says it has arrested three suspects with 180 cellophane bags of adulterated Automotive Gas Oil (25 litres each), concealed with kernel shells in the State.
The State Commandant of NSCDC, Mr Eluyemi Eluwade, disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the Command’s exhibits yard in Uyo, on Thursday.
Eluwade said that based on intelligence, on March 17, the operatives of the Anti-Vandal Squad, at a checkpoint along the Calabar-Itu highway, apprehended two suspects conveying 100 cellophane bags of suspected adulterated AGO (25 litres each) in an open bucket trailer with Reg. No. FGE 680 ZS.
The commandant added that on March 19, another open bucket trailer with Reg. No. BB 825 XX, loaded with about 80 cellophane bags of AGO (25 litres each) and concealed with palm kernel shells, was impounded and one suspect was nabbed.
“In furtherance of the marching order to crack down on oil theft, and all forms of illegalities in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry, the Akwa Ibom State Command of NSCDC has intensified its operations against vandals in the State.
“On March 17, Men of NSCDC Anti-vandal Squad at our checkpoint along Calabar-Itu highway apprehended two suspects conveying 100 bags of suspected adulterated automotive Gas Oil AGO (Diesel) in an open bucket trailer with Reg. No. FGE 680 ZS.
“The petroleum products were concealed with palm kernel shells to beat security intelligence. However, luck ran out on them, when our personnel insisted on due diligence which led to the discovery.
“Similarly on March 19, another open bucket trailer with Reg. No. BB 825 XX, loaded with about 80 cellophane bags of AGO (25 litres each) and concealed with palm kernel shells, was impounded and one suspect was arrested along the Calabar-Itu highway”, Eluwade said.
He decried the negative impact of adulterated/substandard petroleum products on vehicles, machinery and promised to ensure that the perpetrators face the law.
Eluwade also disclosed that the command on March 15, nabbed one suspect, who disguised himself as a police officer for extortion and impersonation at the Unity Park, Udo Udoma Avenue in Uyo.
The commandant said the suspect verbally threatened one Blessing Obot, who was having a driving lesson at the park and forcefully collected N10,000 from her.
“In another development, personnel of the Corps arrested one suspect on March 15 at the Unity Park, Udo Udoma Avenue for criminal trespass, fraud and impersonation of a Police Officer.
“The suspect verbally threatened and forcefully collected the sum of N10,000.00 from one Blessing Sunday Obot in the evening of Thursday, March 14.
“The suspect harassed the victim who was having a driving lesson at Unity Park and asked to be paid N100,000.00 or he will arrest them.
“He collected N10,000 after the victim pleaded extensively. Thereafter, the victim lodged a complaint which led to the arrest of the suspect,” he said.
On illegal mining, the commandant said that operatives of the command on Wednesday, March 20 arrested two suspects for involvement in illegal mining activity in the state.
He said that all the suspects would be arraigned in Court as soon as investigations are concluded to serve as a deterrent to others.
The commandant reiterated the Corps’ commitment to sustaining the fight against all forms of economic sabotage in the state.
He advised youths to seek legitimate ventures, as the corps is relentless in its resolve to execute its core mandates.
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