NSCDC arrests three with over 3,000 litres of adulterated AGO

Akpan Umoh

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Akwa Ibom Command has arrested three suspects with over 3,000 litres of suspected adulterated Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) concealed in a truck laden with sand.

The Akwa Ibom State Commandant of NSCDC, Mr Samuel Fadeyi, said this while speaking with newsmen at the command’s exhibits yard in Uyo on Friday.

According to Fadeyi, the suspects, who claimed they were coming from Ahoada, Rivers State were nabbed on Tuesday March 2 at the border town between Akwa Ibom and Rivers.

He said that since criminals were devising more innovative ideas, there was need for security personnel, especially those manning border posts to be extra vigilant to tackle crime and criminality in the state and country.

“I am constrained to come before you, as we have always promised to carry you along, so that you put our information in the public domain.

“This is an exhibition of people trying to smuggle illegally refined diesel. You can see they tried to conceal it in sand.

“It was an open truck and ordinarily when you see it, you think they are conveying sand. But due to the vigilant of my men at the border post, they were able to intercept the truck.

“For now, we can only ascertain that it’s diesel, we don’t Know what is inside, it is still undergoing investigation. But I must sound a note of warning to the people, that they cannot continue to sabotage our economy.

“Illegal refined oil are products of oil theft and this must not be allowed to continue. Even the degradation that it does to the economy is unbearable and it is a problem for the country.

“It is a very unfortunate that a truck loaded with sand, only for you to find out that there is something inside. You never can tell that there might be arms and ammunitions in there,” Fadeyi said.

The state commandant added that all the three suspects would be charged to Court as soon as investigation is completed.

Fadeyi called on security personnel, especially those at the border posts to be more vigilant, and at alert to contain with the antics of criminals, so that Akwa Ibom and Nigeria would be safe.