NSCDC parades 6 suspects in Ondo for illegal petroleum products, adulterated diesel
By Akintunde Jacobs, Akure
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ondo state command, has arrested six suspects for offences ranging from conspiracy, unlawful dealings in Petroleum products, transportation of petroleum products without haulage licence and requisite authorization, adulteration.
Eweka Edenabu, the command commandant, while parading the suspects on Wednesday in Akure at the NSCDC headquarters, affirmed that the Corps under the leadership of the Commandant General, Abubakar Ahmed Audi mni is wholesomely committed to Safeguarding all Critical National Assets and Infrastructure, Protection of lives and property, Combating all acts of vandalization of oil pipelines, power transmission equipments, telecommunication installations amongst others.
According to him, the arrests were made possible following a tip off, sustained intelligence gathering and surveillance.
The first set of suspects: Johnbull Agbonze aged 41 years residing at No. 27, Erhauyi street Iwogba quarters Benin city, Edo State and Alade Aderopo an oil businessman aged 42 years living at No.10 Iyange street, Oke-Ogba, Akure Ondo State were both apprehended on Friday, 26th March, 2021 around 5pm alongside a long Truck with Registration number Edo BEN 643 XC in conveyance of 45,000 litres of suspected adulterated Automated Gas Oil (AGO)-Diesel.
According to the suspects, the Tanker was said to have taken off from Oghara Depot in Delta State enroute Benin city to Akure, Ondo State.
Consequently, on Saturday 27th March, 2021 the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, Igbokoda handed over to the NSCDC Ondo Command; Two (2) Suspects named: Moses Akinnehin aged 25 years and Komiyo Jeje aged 29 years who were arrested alongside with two (2) Wooden Boats conveying 34 drums of suspected illegally refined adulterated AGO.
Similarly, Edenabu said during their routine patrol on Sunday 28th March, 2021 around 5:20pm; his men apprehended a Truck with Registration number: Lagos, EPE 196 XR in conveyance of suspected adulterated AGO (Diesel) worth 33,000 litres; saying when the suspects saw their long chase, they escaped and left the truck.
He also said that on Tuesday 30th March, 2021 around 8pm the Command arrested additional two (2) suspects named: Sadiq Muyili aged 25years of Abebi Mokola Area in Ibadan and Babatunde Olalekan aged 22years of No 24 Akinjobi Street, Boluwaji, Ibadan.
According to him, they were arrested at Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area, Ondo State with a Truck (Registration number: Lagos KTU 481 XY) in conveyance of 25,000 litres of suspected adulterated Automated Gas Oil (AGO)- Diesel.
The NSCDC boss, however, said the suspects have committed punishable offences under the Miscellaneous offences Act. CAP M17, Section 1(17) (a) and (b) law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The investigation will be very thorough and detailed after which the suspects would be charged to Court and appropriately prosecuted under the extant laws.
“This Command will continue to work relentlessly in the fight against vandalism, oil bunkering, illegal dealings in Petroleum products as well as collaborating with other sister agencies in the fight against all forms of criminalities in Ondo State,” he said.
