NSCDC arrests seven with 33,000 litres of fake petrol

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps command in Akwa Ibom State has apprehended seven persons who were caught transporting fake petroleum products to Kano and Akwa Ibom states.

The suspects – Baba-Ali Haruna (65), Hassan Abdullahi (23), and Haladu Abubakar (54), were arrested while transporting a 33,000-litre truck filled with substance mixed with disused engine oil to Kano.

The state commandant, NSCDC, Mr. Pedro Ideba, told journalists on Tuesday in Uyo that the suspects were arrested at Ibagwa area of the state.

Also arrested in connection with the case were Godspower Ezekiel (18), Jurry Brownsy (20) Ifeanyi Ogeh (23) and Peter Igwe (32).

Ideba told journalists, “On February 28, 2015, at about 1.30am, we arrested the men with a Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation branded truck, which was loaded with substance like petroleum product from Onne Port, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

“The driver and the conductor were arrested at Ibagwa in Akwa Ibom State as they tried to go to the northern part of the country through Cross River State.”

Assistant Commandant in charge of Public Relations/Protocol, Mr. Ime White, who conducted journalists round the exhibition yard, told our correspondent that some of the suspects used polythene bags to package diesel.

One of the suspects, Ogeh, said he was surprised that the NSCDC apprehended him for doing his normal business.

“They arrested me because I carried 450 litres of diesel in my car. I bought the product from New Town along the road in Rivers State.

“I was bringing it to Uyo to sell. Nobody sent me, it is the business I do by myself. The whole affair is about hustling,” he said.

The NSCDC explained that the men would be charged to court as soon as investigation was complete.