Akpan Umoh, Uyo
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Akwa Ibom State Command says it has impounded 8,400 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) concealed in 28 drums smuggled from the country en route to Cameroon.
The State Commandant of NSCDC, Mr Eluyemi Eluwade, disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the Command’s exhibits yard in Uyo on Thursday, 18 April 2024.
Eluwade said that personnel of the Marine Unit of the command intercepted and seized the products on April 13 on the Mbo River, close to international waters between Nigeria and Cameroon, while the suspects dived into the river to escape arrest.
He warned smugglers that Akwa Ibom will continue to be a hot zone for illegal bunkering activities both on land and water.
“NSCDC Marine Squad was on routine patrol of the water with its gunboat when it accosted the boat.
“Our men flashed their touch light to see what the long wooden boat was conveying and saw lots of palm fronds.
“On a second look, an officer sighted a drum and insisted on a thorough search which revealed that the boat was conveying 28 drums (300 litres per drum) loaded to the brim with PMS.
“Our personnel impounded it and escorted it back to the shallow waters at Ibaka.
“Shockingly, on the creek side, close to the anchor, the three suspects dived into the water to avoid being arrested after their offer to bribe the officers was rejected.
“There was no further pursuit or shooting, as the products they were illegally conveying is highly inflammable,” Eluwade said.
Eluwade warned that smuggling petroleum products out of Nigeria is a criminal offence and a serious act of economic sabotage that the command will not tolerate.
The commandant during the briefing added that on April 16, the command arrested a suspect for assaulting PortHarcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) officials on duty and inflicting serious body harm with a machete.
He said that the officials were disconnecting houses that had not fulfilled their financial obligation regarding electricity supply along No. 189 Oron Road in Uyo.
According to him, some youths in the affected compound mobilised themselves and assaulted the officials with sticks and machetes.
“I want to use this medium to warn the public to desist from assaulting PHEDC officials on official duty to enforce compliance.
“I know that some Nigerians are dissatisfied with the power situation vis a vis the bills they must pay.
“However, assault and mob action on PHEDC officials can never be justified, as it is a criminal offence, punishable under the criminal code.
“Complaints should be channelled through legitimate quarters with follow-up. I want to warn that anyone arrested will be prosecuted accordingly,” he said. The commandant reiterated the corps’ commitment to sustaining the fight against all forms of economic sabotage in the state.