NSCDC seizes 150 drums of PMS, arrests two suspects

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Akwa Ibom Command has seized 150 drums of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) about to be smuggled out of the country; the corps also arrested two suspects.

The Commandant of NSCDC, Akwa Ibom State Command, Mr Yusuf Imam, said this while briefing newsmen in Uyo on Saturday.

According to Imam, the Marine Unit of the command acted on intelligence, arrested the suspects on the high sea conveying the products in a wooden boat tried to smuggle them to Cameroon on March 9.

He added that the operatives also seized five engines and one pumping machine used in smuggling the petroleum products.

“The Marine Unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Akwa Ibom State Command has arrested two suspects and impounded 150 drums of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) conveyed in a large wooden boat on the high sea in Ibeno LGA of Akwa Ibom State. 

“The arrest and subsequent impounding of exhibits took place in the early hours of Thursday, March 9, 2023.

“Acting on credible intelligence, the NSCDC Marine Squad led by Jamilu Mohammed Adamu hit the waterways with the corps’ gunboat, chased and intercepted the boat very close to the Atlantic Ocean while attempting to smuggle petrol into Cameroon,” Imam said.

The commandant warned that the Corps would not tolerate any criminality in its waterways, stressing that all economic sabotage and vandalism in the state would be met with the full weight of the law.

“It’s not going to be business as usual in my time. I am here to work, and you can expect to see more of this as we will make Akwa Ibom State a living hell for vandals, illegal bunkers and oil thieves,” he said.

Imam urged those who engage in any act of economic sabotage to desist forthwith and seek meaningful ventures to engage in.

He said that NSCDC under the leadership of the Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Audi will not relent in the fight against oil theft, which has robbed the country of enormous revenue.

He enjoined the good people of Akwa Ibom, traditional institutions, community-based organisations (CBOs) and youths to partner with the corps by giving the corps intelligence to work to ensure safety in the environment.

The state commandant said that the suspects would be charged in court as soon as investigations are completed on the matter.