The Rivers State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested Six (6) suspects for illegal dealings in petroleum products.
While briefing the newsmen at the scene of the crime in Port Harcourt, the State Commandant Michael Besong Ogar FCAI said the arrest was made possible through credible information which suffices that some suspects were dealing illegally in petroleum products at a Iwofe/ Rumuepirikom community, Obio Akpo Local Government Area of Rivers State.
In a statement by the command’s spokesperson, DSC Olufemi Ayodele, the State Commandant noted that the Antivandal land patrol team swung into action to effect the arrest and recovered about Seven (7) drums of Petroleum products suspected to be counterfeited and adulterated engine oil.
“Based on sustained Intelligence the command Antivandal land patrol team arrested four (4) suspects named: UCHE Udeh (M) 42years, Simon Nwigwe (M) 52years, Ifeanyi Ndeme (M) 54years and Ikechuckwu Ejefobi (M) 43years. The suspects were arrested for illegal dealings in petroleum products and the following items were recovered as exhibits at the point of arrest: Seven (7) Drums of petroleum products suspected to be adulterated engine oil, Six (6) buckets of substandard grease, an Ash coloured Volkswagen Van with registration number RIVERS BNY 709 XY, wooden templates for designing suspected fake labels, 18 empty kegs of 25litres each, 50, 25 and 10 litres of counterfeited chemicals”.
Ogar relayed that the preliminary investigation report shows that the suspects carved out stencils with TOTAL and MOBIL OIL emblems which are used as stickers on the packaged products before distribution to would-be buyers.
He hinted that the empty drums meant for the conveyance of the products amount to 300 while other drums with adulterated contents amount to 33 drums.
“As you can see that this illegal site is located right at the back of LUMCO Filling Station in Iwofe area; the filling station would be sealed with immediate effect while the owner would be invited for questioning; I can assure you that after the conclusion of thorough investigation, all persons indicted or found culpable would be charged to Court of competent jurisdiction.”
Meanwhile, In another development, the Command Antivandal Squad also arrested 2 other Suspects named: Justice Hillary (M) 30years, Kingsley Akalefu (M) 32years at Ozuha road in Omuanwa Community Ikwerre Local Government Area. An Ash coloured Toyota Sequoia SUV Car with Registration number RIVERS KNM 841AA was impounded while in conveyance of about 24,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) concealed in cellophane bags. The suspects voluntarily told our Investigators that the products were loaded at Ibaa community in Emuoha Local Government Area and they were to deliver them at a location in Aba, Abia State.
While wishing the Muslim faithfuls a blissful festive season, the Command helmsman further assures the public that the Eid-el-filtri celebration would be peaceful and serene as 1500 Officers and men drafted from Operations Department, Intelligence Squad, Marine Forces, Counter Terrorism Unit, Antivandal Squad amongst others have been deployed to safeguard critical national assets and Infrastructures as well as to provide adequate security in order to forestall all forms of attack in Shopping Malls, Eid Prayer ground, Mosque, Churches, Motor parks and recreational or relaxation centres.
