The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Akwa Ibom State Command, has arrested three suspects and impounded a tanker loaded with 45,000 litres of ethanol suspected to have been illegally acquired.
The State Commandant, Mrs. Geraldine Abetianbe, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Uyo.
She said the arrest and seizure were carried out on Tuesday at about 1:00 p.m. by operatives of the command acting on credible intelligence at Ikot Umo Essien, along Aba Road, in Essien Udim Local Government Area.
”On June 23, at about 1300hrs, our operatives acting on credible intelligence intercepted a petroleum tanker at Ikot Umo Essien, along Aba Road, in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
“The tanker, with a capacity of 45,000 litres, was laden with a product suspected to be ethanol acquired illegally.
“Three suspects were arrested at the scene in connection with the act,” Abetianbe said.
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The commandant explained that the arrest of the suspects and seizure of the tanker were based on reasonable suspicion of the illegal acquisition and transportation of petroleum products in the state.
She said the suspects presented a waybill during interrogation, but the document immediately raised suspicion due to several discrepancies. She added that further investigations and inquiries to verify the authenticity of the declared point of loading yielded negative results.
“This confirmed our suspicion that the product was not sourced through legitimate channels.
“Through synergy, mutual respect, and timely information sharing, we recorded this success,” she said.
Abetianbe warned criminals against engaging in the illegal trade of petroleum products, describing such activities as not only criminal but also a form of economic sabotage that deprives the government of revenue, endangers lives through adulteration and explosions, and undermines national security.
She vowed that the NSCDC, as the lead agency responsible for the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure, would not relent in carrying out its mandate.
“We shall continue to go after vandals, illegal bunkerers, product adulterators, and all those who engage in diversion and illegal transportation of petroleum products,” she said.
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