The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps in Akwa Ibom said that it had on the 9th of March detained two suspects and seized 150 gasoline drums that had been illegally imported.
Mr. Yusuf Imam, the NSCDC Commandant in Akwa Ibom, said this while briefing reporters in Uyo on Saturday.
Imam claimed that the Marine Unit of the command acted on intelligence and apprehended the suspects when they were transporting the goods to Cameroon in a wooden boat on the open seas.
He continued by saying that five engines and one pumping device used to steal petroleum products were also seized by the agents.
“The Marine Unit of the NSCDC arrested two suspects and impounded 150 drums of PMS conveyed in a large wooden boat on the high seas in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.
“The arrests and subsequent impounding of the exhibits took place in the early hours of Thursday.
“Acting on credible intelligence, the NSCDC Marine Squad led by Jamilu Mohammed Adamu hit the waterways with the corps’ gunboat, chased, and intercepted the boat very close to the Atlantic Ocean while attempting to smuggle petrol into Cameroon,” Imam said.
The commander issued a warning that the corps would not put up with criminal activity on its waterways and would prosecute any cases of economic sabotage and damage in the state vigorously.
“It’s not going to be business as usual in my time.
“I am here to work, and you can expect to see more of this as we will make Akwa Ibom a living hell for vandals, illegal bunkerers and oil thieves,” he said.
Thus, the imam urged anyone committing economic sabotage in the area to stop right away and look for worthwhile endeavors to get involved in.
He claimed that the NSCDC would not give up in the fight against oil theft, which “has robbed the country of tremendous money,” under the direction of Commandant General Dr. Ahmed Audi.
He urged Akwa Ibom’s good citizens, traditional institutions, community-based organizations, and young people to work with the NSCDC by giving it relevant information and guaranteeing environmental safety.
The commandant declared that as soon as the inquiry was over, the accused would be charged in court.
