The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps says it has apprehended eight suspects and impounded seven trucks containing 315,000 litres of suspected adulterated Automotive Gas Oil, also known as Diesel, in Akwa ibom State.
The NSCDC State Commandant, Suleman Mafara, revealed this to newsmen at the command’s exhibits yard on Monday.
Mafara, who spoke in Uyo, said the suspects were arrested based on intelligence and surveillance by operatives of the Anti-Vandals Unit of the NSCDC, Akwa Ibom State Command on July 7 along Calabar-Itu highway, barely 24 hours after his assumption of duty in the state.
He said that the command would not relent on its mandate of protecting government critical assets and infrastructure from vandalism.
He said the activities of vandals and criminals were economic sabotage, adding that the command would not give them any breathing space to operate in the state.
Mafara said: “Today being Monday, 18 July, 2022 the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Akwa Ibom Command is parading eight suspects arrested in possession of AGO obtained through illegal means.
“A total of seven trucks were impounded carrying 315,000 litres of adulterated petroleum products (AGO) believed to have been possessed illegally through bunkering and falsification of documents and waybills.
“They were arrested along Calabar-Itu highway moving to various parts of the country.
“We have commenced our investigations and we have almost completed.
“As soon as we finish our investigation, we are charging them to Court.
“I want to make it clear to all Nigerians that the NSCDC under the leadership of our Commandant General, Dr. Ahmed Audi, will not relent in tackling all forms of criminal activities.
“I want to use this medium to appeal to all well-meaning Nigerians to support NSCDC for the betterment of the Nigerian society.”
The Commandant assured Akwa Ibom people that the Command would make the state uncomfortable for criminal elements.
Mafara warned criminals and vandals to have a rethink and relocate out of the state as the place was no longer safe for economic saboteurs.