The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has nabbed 14 suspects and impounded 1, 700 litres of suspected adulterated Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Akwa Ibom.
NSCDC Commandant in Akwa Ibom, Mr. Abidemi Majekodunmi, disclosed this yesterday, while briefing newsmen at the command’s exhibits yard in Uyo.
According to him, the suspects were arrested between March 10 and 14 within Itu and Onna Local Councils of the state, adding that the activity of vandals and criminals could lead to a bleeding Nigerian economy.
He warned that a nation striving towards development could not afford to allow these kinds of things to be happening. He said: “NSCDC Akwa Ibom Command is here because of the arrest we have made. In our custody we have 14 suspects and we also have as exhibits four trucks laden with suspected petroleum products.
“In total capacity we have 1, 700 litres of AGO inside the trucks. They were accosted in four different locations. Three of them fall within Itu Local Council, while the fourth was arrested in Onna Local Council of Akwa Ibom State.
“Definitely, we are suspicious of the content of the trucks. From our preliminary investigation, we suspected that these are adulterated petroleum products. We are working on the suspicion that it may be stolen products.
“Investigation is ongoing and we want to tell Akwa Ibom people that there is no breeding space for criminals and vandals in the state.”
Majekodunmi said the Commandant General, Mr. Audi Abubakar has directed that under no circumstance should the command allow vandals to have breathing space, hence, the inauguration of “operation flush” to flush criminals out of the state.
He added that the action was a contravention of the Nigerian Constitution and NSCDC was committed to ensuring that the nation was free from vandalism.
“We want the public to support our progress with credible intelligent information, so that we can actually execute our mandate and perform our constitutional duties and responsibilities.
“The Nigerian economy has a strong presence in the oil industry. We must protect this industry because it is a strong national asset and that is one of the advantages that we have as a nation.
“We want to tell the Nigerian people to shun illegalities and crime as NSCDC will not tolerate such activities,” he added.
