Akpan Umoh, Uyo
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Saturday uncovered the hideouts of suspects who engaged in illegal bunkering of adulterated petroleum products and other consumables at Obo Ikot Ita in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State.
The corps also arrested one suspect.
The State Commandant of NSCDC, Mr Abidemi Majekodunmi, in a press briefing said the place was raided based on sustained intelligence.
Majekodunmi said one Glory Amos, self-acclaimed doctor was said to be the one behind the illicit activities in Obo Ikot Ita community.
He explained that such illegal activities if not checked would amount to economic sabotage and the consumables injurious to human health.
“We are here in Obo Ikot Ita in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State because we gathered credible intelligence that an illicit bunkering activities was going on here.
“So, through sustained intelligence and monitoring we got here today and we met Glory Amos, self-acclaimed doctor.”We are in his factory, where he is doing what we considered as an illegal cracking process of refined petroleum products.
“As we can also see some evidence on ground, there are other byproducts, which are consumables and which we suspect may be dangerous and injurious to human health.
“He is here with us and the facilities and other activities going on here can be seen during the review of the factory.”The collateral implications of damage to the society cannot be quantified because when we produce products that are going to be used by machines and automobiles.
“The consequences may be very adverse because it damages the machines and automobiles and it has serious economic implications.”On the other hand, the consumables, of course can be very hazardous and injurious to human consumption,” he said.
Majekodunmi urged citizens to stay clear of illegal bunkering activities and illicit production of consumables due to its health and economic implications.The commandant warned that there would be no hiding place for those perpetrating illegal activities in the state, as the command has personnel across the 31 LGAs for proper monitoring.Speaking to the suspect, Glory Amos, before hoodlums from the community invaded the premises after the raid for him to escape, denied being into illegal bunkering of adulterated petroleum products.Amos, who claimed to be homeopathic doctor said he had been in the business for 28 years now.The suspect said that he distilled the lubricants from recycling nylon of sachets water into other products, without using crude oil.He claimed that the products were all in experimental stages and was yet to be taken to market for others to buy.According to him, he has being into experimental distilling of lubricants and production of drugs known as “after sex”, “war against infections and bacterial, “blended dry gin” and “Glory Amos hot balm”, among others.”My journey into the world of invention started 28 years ago. In 2004, I purchased this land and started developing this structure with the hope of developing it into a research institute.”Here we recycle nylon of sachets water, we don’t take our raw materials from crude oil, we recycle the nylon of sachets water into various lubricants.”After 10 years of trying the ideas, we started testing it on generator, on my generator and it’s okay, very okay. If you like, you can take it to the laboratory and run a test by yourself,” Amos said.The Official of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mrs Okuma Ekpoudom, Assistant Chief Regulatory Officer, said the agency will take the exhibits to the laboratory for analysis to determine its quality.”We are here at the instance of the state Commandant of NSCDC to come and see what is related to us.”They’ve handed over some of the exhibits to us and we are going to follow up, take what we have seen to the laboratory and find out what it is, if good for consumption and we will continue from there,” Ekpoudom said.
She commended the NSCDC for their intelligence and monitoring to uncover the factory used for illicit the activities.Speaking to one of the suspects at the premises, Emem Udoh, who is from the Obo Ikot Ita community said she has known the man as dealing in oil business for some years.Udoh, however, said she does not know anything about other products produced by Glory Amos.She claimed Amos only hired her to fetch water, water vegetables and do some domestic chores for him.
“My name is Emem Mfon Udoh from Obo Ikot Ita, when Amos lack water, he called me to come and fetch water for him and he pays me for the labour.”In this Obo Ikot Ita community, we know Amos as someone doing oil business. I have worked for him for about two weeks now,” she said.