NSCDC nabs four men transporting stolen bitumen to Kaduna, kerosene to Ohafia
The Abia Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested four persons suspected to be illegally dealing in petroleum products.
The State Commandant of the corps, Muhammad Sanyinna, disclosed this on Friday, while parading the suspects before journalists in Umuahia.
Mr Sanyinna said the arrest came on the heels of the command’s intensive operations toward ending pipeline vandalism and oil bunkering in the area.
He said that three of the suspects were arrested at Ubakala Junction on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.
According to him, they were conveying 33,000 litres of bitumen in a truck, with Reg. No. KWL984XB (Kaduna), when they were arrested.
The fourth suspect was also arrested at the same junction, while conveying 50,000 litres of Kerosene in a Mack truck, with Reg. No. KTU109XZ.
He said that the suspects were arrested on Tuesday, September 6 by the command’s operatives, following a tip off.
Mr Sanyinna said that the command also impounded a Toyota Camry car, with Reg. No. AH265PBR (Rivers), loaded with 800 litres of product, suspected to be adulterated diesel.
He said that the vehicle was intercepted at Owaza in Ukwa West Local Government Area after the driver abandoned it on sighting the corps operatives on a routine patrol.
He listed the names of the suspects as Adamu Mustapha (36), Isah Adamu (32), Anas Muhammed (22) and Chinedu Owen (44).
The suspects were said to have no operational licence to deal in petroleum products. Also, their trucks had no haulage permit, while the products had no receipts covering them.
Investigation into the matter was ongoing to also arrest the owners of the products, after which the suspects would be charged to court.
Two suspects, who spoke on behalf of others, said they were hired by the owners of the products to convey them to different destinations.
In an interview with reporters, Mr Owen said that the product was transloaded into his truck in Aba for onward movement to Ohafia.
He said that the owner, known as Oga Don, paid N30,000 (N20,000 for him and N10,000 for his conductor) to transport the kerosene to Ohafia.
Also, Mr Mohammed said they were conveying the bitumen from Port Harcourt to Kaduna before they were arrested.
They said that they had provided necessary information about the owners of the products to the command and urged it to go after them.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
NationWide
Outgoing British High Commissioner praises Tinubu’s economic reforms
Mr Montgomery said although the reforms might have caused short-term pain for ordinary people, they were fundamental to restoring vitality to the economy. Â
World
Cyclospora Outbreak: No product tested positive, Taylor Farms says
Taylor Farms insisted none of its branded salads or kits was associated with the outbreak.
Economy
Bauchi govt begins 2026 fertiliser sale, announces 50% subsidy
Governor Bala Mohammed said the interventions formed part of a broader strategy to transform agriculture from subsistence to commercial production.
Africa
Sierra Leone hands over ECOWAS chairmanship to Senegal
During the summit, Mr Bio inaugurated a regional conference centre and a logistics depot.
States
Governor Aiyedatiwa reappoints Taiwo Fasoranti as SSG
The statement said the governor approved Mr Fasoranti’s reappointment in recognition of his experience in public administration, policy formulation and governance.
States
Ooni of Ife preaches peace as Aregbesola leads Osun ADC governorship candidate, others on palace visitÂ
Mr Adeyeye said, “Ile-Ife remains the source and ancestral home of the Yoruba people.”
