Fides Media Living the Faith
By Precious Ukeje
It is a win for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Anambra State who arrested five persons suspected to be dealing in adulterated petroleum products.
The Command said the arrests were made following the operational strategies emplaced by its Commandant, Comdt. Vincent Ogu, to actualize its core mandate.
Its Anti-Vandalism Unit operatives successfully arrested five male suspects involved in what it described as unlawful dealings in petroleum products which included automotive gas oil (AGO), as well as transporting same without lawful licence.
In a description of the operational breakthrough, the Command said the Anti-Vandalism operatives on Wednesday, June 30, at about 4:30 p.m., arrested one Ebuka Kalu, male, aged 27; and Ogboanna Solomon, male, aged 29, who live in different locations in the state.
According to the Command, the suspects were conveying suspected adulterated petroleum products concealed in sack bags in a while Hiace bus with registration number ANAMBRA AWK 419 YD; with the duo, on interrogation, failing to produce any document authorizing their dealings in petroleum products.
‘On 30 June 2021 at about 5:30 in the evening, following a tip off, the Anti-Vandalism Unit also arrested one Onwuekwe Miracle, m, aged 20, of Elelenwa, Obiakpo L.G.A of Rivers State; one Adamu Mohammend, m, aged 36, residing in Abuja FCT; and one Abubakar Sadic, m, aged 33, of Yola, Admawa State,’ NSCDC narrated.
It said the suspects were arrested at Ihiala in Ihiala L.G.A., Anambra State, while conveying two long trucks with registration numbers ABUJA BWX 334 XC and LAGOS EKY 78 XB, with 33, 000 litres and 40, 000 litres of suspected adulterated AGO respectively.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the product had no meter tickets, no haulage permit to convey petroleum products, while the waybill presented was suspected to be fake.
The Anambra NSCDC disclosed that it had commenced discreet investigation to unravel the source of the suspected adulterated petroleum products, adding that upon conclusion, the suspects would be arraigned in a court of competent jurisdiction.
While Ogu charged operatives of the Command to remain resolute in the quest to maximally actualize the core mandates of the Corps in the state, he commended the efforts of the Anti-Vandalism Unit and law abiding citizens who contributed in making the breakthroughs possible.
The Anambra NSCDC Commandant said the Command was unwaveringly working towards maximally actualizing its core mandates as ordered by the Commandant-General of NSCDC, Mr Abubakar Ahmed Audi, and called on Ndi Anambra and residents to remain vigilant and promptly report the activities of vandals to the nearest formation of the Corps.
These were contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Corps in Anambra State, DSC Okadigbo Edwin.