The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Akwa Ibom State Command, has arrested three suspects and impounded a petroleum tanker loaded with 45,000 litres of ethanol suspected to have been illegally acquired.
The State Commandant, Mrs. Geraldine Abetianbe, disclosed while briefing journalists in Uyo, saying the operation was carried out by operatives of the command following credible intelligence.
According to her, the suspects were apprehended on June 23 at about 1:00 p.m. when NSCDC operatives intercepted the tanker at Ikot Umo Essien along Aba Road in Essien Udim Local Government Area.
“The tanker, with a capacity of 45,000 litres, was conveying a product suspected to be illegally acquired ethanol. Three suspects were arrested at the scene in connection with the offence,” she said.
Abetianbe explained that the interception was based on reasonable suspicion of the illegal acquisition and transportation of petroleum products.
She revealed that although the suspects presented a waybill during interrogation, the document contained several inconsistencies that immediately raised suspicion. Subsequent efforts to verify the purported point of loading, she added, proved unsuccessful.
“This confirmed our suspicion that the product was not sourced through legitimate channels,” the commandant stated.
She attributed the successful operation to effective intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration and timely information sharing.
Abetianbe warned individuals involved in the illegal trade of petroleum products to desist, describing the activity as a serious economic crime that deprives the government of revenue, endangers lives through product adulteration and possible explosions, and poses a threat to national security.
She reaffirmed the commitment of the NSCDC, as the lead agency responsible for protecting critical national assets and infrastructure, to intensify its crackdown on oil thieves and other economic saboteurs.
“We will continue to go after vandals, illegal bunkerers, product adulterators, and all those involved in the diversion and unlawful transportation of petroleum products.
“There will be no hiding place for economic saboteurs,” she said.
