By Nelson Utip
Three suspects have been arrested by The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC, Akwa Ibom Command, with 180 cellophane bags of adulterated Automotive Gas Oil (25 litres each), concealed with kernel shells, this was disclosed by The State Commandant of NSCDC, Mr Eluyemi Eluwade, while briefing Newsmen at the Command’s exhibits yard in Uyo, on Thursday.
According to Eluwade, based on intelligence, on March 17, the operatives of the Anti-Vandal Squad apprehended two suspects with 100 cellophane bags of adulterated AGO (25 litres each) at a checkpoint along the Calabar-Itu highway in an open bucket trailer with Reg. No. FGE 680 ZS.
He 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 also impounded and one suspect arrested.
“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.
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“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.
The Commandant analyzed the negative effect of adulterated and substandard petroleum products on vehicles and machineries promising to bring the culprits to book.
Eluwade also intimated Newsmen of the arrest of a suspect who disguised as a police officer to extort money from people along Udo Udoma Avenue in Uyo .
“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.
According to The Commandant, the operatives of the command on Wednesday, March 20 arrested two suspects for involvement in illegal mining activities in the state, saying that all the suspects would be arraigned in Court as soon as investigations are concluded to serve as a deterrent to others.
Eluwade reaffirmed his Command’s commitment to vehemently fight against all forms of economic sabotage in the state, while advising the youths to engage in legitimate ventures to escape the long arm of the law as his command will leave no stone unturned in order to achieve it’s core mandate.
