NSCDC impounds 8 trucks conveying illegal AGO in Rivers


Tina Amanda

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Rivers State Command has intercepted and impounded eight trucks conveying suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) along Mbiama, the border between Bayelsa and Delta State.

The trucks were intercepted while the eight Suspects were in transit out of Rivers State.

In a preliminary investigation report, it was gathered that the Suspects presented fake documents and beat several security checkpoints until they were apprehended by the Antivandal Squad of the NSCDC Rivers State Command.

Briefing newsmen at the Command Headquarters, State Commandant, Abu Abdu Tambuwal, said the arrest was made possible following a tip-off by the Intelligence Team and the Antivandal Squad of the Command who had been on trail to arrest the Suspects for over three weeks.

According to him, from the security intelligence, it was revealed that some unscrupulous economic saboteurs are using the Court Auction Order which has already been executed to perpetrate these nefarious dealings.

“The Command in her renewed vigour to eradicate the menace of illegal dealings in petroleum products in the State made tactical moves by deploying the Intelligence Team and the Antivaillndal Squad who swung into action having trailed the Suspects for weeks; credible Intelligence revealed that the Suspects were allegedly using an already executed Court Auction Order to move trucks loaded with illegally refined AGO out of Rivers State to different locations in the country”

The Commandant, however, reiterated the command’s unrelenting commitment to the fight against oil theft, oil bunkering and all acts of illegal dealings in petroleum products in the State, stressing that the Eagle eye of the Command is across the 23 Local governments and we will not leave any stone unturned as there is a new Sheriff in town and it will never be business as usual.

He further affirmed that the Command has taken delivery of the Gun Boat donated by the Rivers State Government under the amiable leadership of His Excellency Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike; Commandant Tambuwal also hinted that the NSCDC Commandant General Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, in his determination to strengthen the capacity and effective response to emergencies and Disaster management has allotted a new Ambulance to the Command which would be positioned at the Port Harcourt International Airport for effective usage during emergencies.

He, however, wished the good people of Rivers State a happy Easter celebration, while advising the public to avoid cooking with adulterated petroleum products and shun all acts of stockpiling of premium motor spirit (PMS) popularly called Petrol as to prevent fire disasters during the festival period.