NSCDC Parades 8 Suspects for Alleged Illegal Petroleum Dealing in Akwa Ibom

On Saturday, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Akwa Ibom State paraded nine suspects involved in illegal petroleum dealings and vandalism of armoured cables.

NSCDC State Commandant Eluyemi Eluwade, who presented the suspects at the Command headquarters in Uyo, also announced the seizure of three trucks carrying a total of 135,000 liters of petroleum products.

Eluwade explained that the arrests were made on July 14 along the Ikot Abasi-Port Harcourt Expressway. During a routine document check, NSCDC personnel discovered that the trucks lacked the necessary licenses for purchasing, selling, and transporting petroleum products, as required by the Petroleum Industry Act. This led to the arrest of the suspects and the impounding of the trucks.

Two of the trucks were transporting approximately 45,000 liters each of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel. The third truck was carrying about 45,000 liters of a petroleum product suspected to be either crude oil or used engine oil, also requiring a license for its handling.

Additionally, Eluwade reported that on July 15 in Idu Uruan, Uruan Local Government Area, a suspect was arrested for criminal conspiracy and theft involving the tampering and stealing of armoured cable from a transformer at the Nigeria Medical Association Center. The suspect is believed to have collaborated with others to breach security and commit the vandalism.

Eluwade reaffirmed the NSCDC’s commitment to combating illegal activities such as illegal bunkering, petroleum product adulteration, unlicensed operations, and illegal refining. He assured that the suspects would face legal proceedings once investigations are complete.