The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has distanced itself from a truck intercepted in Ondo State with a staggering 2,145kg of cannabis, warning that its corporate identity must not be hijacked for criminal activities.
The truck, which was intercepted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), reportedly had the illicit consignment concealed in a specially created compartment.
Reacting to reports linking the vehicle to NNPC Ltd., the national oil company said preliminary checks showed that the truck, with registration number MKA 960 XC, is neither owned by the company nor part of its official fleet or that of any of its authorised dealers.
NNPC Ltd. also raised questions over the use of its branding on the vehicle, saying the logo displayed was inconsistent with its current official corporate identity.
“The logo displayed on the vehicle is not consistent with NNPC Ltd.’s current official branding, and the vehicle does not appear in the Company’s asset database,” the company said.
NNPC Ltd. said it was engaging the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) to obtain further information and establish how the vehicle came to bear the company’s old branding.
The company condemned any attempt to exploit its name, trademarks or corporate identifiers for illicit purposes, stressing that it takes unauthorised use of its identity seriously.
It said the development was particularly disturbing because the disputed branding was allegedly associated with a vehicle allegedly used to transport a massive quantity of illegal drugs.
NNPC Ltd. further pledged to cooperate fully with the NDLEA and other security agencies investigating the seizure, including efforts to establish the true ownership and operation of the truck and determine how its corporate markings ended up on the vehicle.
The company said it was also reviewing its brand-protection and asset-monitoring protocols, with possible legal action against individuals or entities found to have unlawfully used its identity.
“NNPC Ltd. remains fully supportive of the ongoing investigation and will continue to provide all necessary cooperation to ensure that the facts are conclusively established,” it said.
The company also urged members of the public and relevant authorities to verify claims of ownership or affiliation involving vehicles purported to belong to NNPC Ltd. through official channels.
NNPC Ltd. commended the NDLEA for what it described as vigilance and professionalism in intercepting the truck, as the agency intensifies its crackdown on illicit drug trafficking across the country.
