The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)Lagos state command Anti – Vandal unit has arrested 5 oil thieves suspects with recovery of 4 peddler trucks and unquantified litres of adulterated automotive gas oil ( ago ).
Commandant Eweka Okoro who made this known,to journalists at the State Command’s Headquarters, promised to remain committed to the renewed charge of the Commandant General on eradication of all forms of economic sabotage in the state .
According to him,”The Commandant General (CG), CG Ahmed Abubakar Audi PhD had reiterated his vow to stamp out oil pipeline vandalism, illegal oil bunkering, illegal dealings in petroleum products, illegal mining of solid and natural minerals and other disheartening forms of economic sabotage, being perpetrated by criminal elements, in the nation.
In line with the CG’s
renewed charge, Commandant Eweka Edenabu Okoro on September 12th, 2022, ordered the parade of suspected oil thieves, arrested by the new Anti – Vandal team, of the Command, in connection to their engagement, in the sale of adulterated Automotive Gas Oil ( AGO ) also known as diesel, at two different locations, in the state.
Addressing journalists, the Commandant stated, “the repositioned Anti – Vandal team, formed up to invest new morale and vigour, into the Command’s Anti – Vandal operations, stormed the first, illegal oil thrives, at about 14: 00hrs, on Friday, 9th September, 2022, while on routine and surveillance patrol, which led to the arrest of 2 suspects at Ikate Junction, Lekki – Epe, Expressway,”
” they were caught conveying suspected adulterated AGO also known as diesel, for commercial purposes.
“In the same vein, the Anti – Vandal team also arrested three suspects, in connection with the same crime though at another location, at Admaralty way, Lekki round about, at about 16:35hrs.
The Anti – Vandal team, highlighted the details of the suspects, and other items recovered, with locations of arrest, respectively, as follows :
( i ) five ( 5 ) suspects; five ( 5 ) male;
Anthony Okeyim (m) 54yrs, Isah Dauda (m) 40yrs, were arrested at (Ikate Junction, Lekki – Epe Expressway), Charles Okere (m) 50yrs, Chibuike Joanes (m) 28yrs and Jenuwa James (m) 65yrs were arrested at Admaralty way, Lekki round about at about 16:35hrs, on 9th September, 2022.
(ii) Trucks recovered from both points of arrest respectively, include the followings below :
(a) Mercedes-Benz Peddler Truck with Reg., No : TI3643LA, containing estimated 3,700 litres of suspected adulterated AGO.
(b) Peddler Truck with Reg., No : TI5YILA, containing unquantified substance suspected to be adulterated AGO.
(c) Peddler Truck with Reg., No: TTD 583 – ZY ( Mercedes – Benz), containing 12,500ltrs of suspected adulterated AGO.
(d) Mandiesel Peddler Truck with Reg., No : MUS49XK, containing 1,200ltrs of suspected to be adulterated AGO.
Commandant Eweka Edenabu Okoro, had also directed immediately that the arrested suspects be brought for adequate interogation and investigation, in the Intelligence and Investigation (INT) Department , at the State Command Headquarters in Alausa, Ikeja, before further legal action will be taken on the matter.
The Commandant has also directed that, “the
newly reformed Anti – Vandal team of the Command to remain fully focussed in their renewed fight, against oil thieves in order to forestall any further untoward activity by these economic saboteurs, who usually,, bring hardship on the people, through their dastardly acts”
The NSCDC Commandant Eweka Okoro, however seized the opportunity, to sound a new note of warning to vandals and illegal oil dealers or thieves in the state, “to permanently desist from the act. as he vowed an unflinching commitment to the vision and mission of the Commandant General, CG Ahmed Abubakar which is, to eradicate illegal dealings in petroleum products and all forms of economic sabotage in the state and nation.
