The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 15 suspected oil vandals in Akwa Ibom State.
NSCDC in a statement said it had apprehended the suspects and impounded seven trucks loaded with 315,000 litres of substance suspected to be illegally acquired petroleum products.
The Commandant of the NSCDC in Akwa Ibom, Eluyemi Eluwade, disclosed this in Uyo, the state capital.
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Eluwade said that the Anti-Vandal Squad of the command arrested the suspects on the Calabar-Itu highway on July 7 after acting on credible intelligence.
“Our newly rejigged Anti-Vandal Squad has arrested 15 suspects for suspected criminal conspiracy and illegal dealing in petroleum products,” he said.
“We have impounded seven trucks with a combined capacity of 315,000 litres of illegally acquired petroleum products.”
Eluwade said that investigations are ongoing to determine if the product is crude oil or High Pour Fuel Oil (HPFO) as claimed by the suspects.
According to the NSCDC commandant, samples of the products have been obtained and would be taken for forensic analysis at an NNPC laboratory, after which the suspects will be charged to court.
“From preliminary investigations, the waybills presented showed an expired licence to deal in petroleum products,” Eluwade said.
The commandant warned that the corps would not tolerate any form of criminality, economic sabotage and vandalism of government critical infrastructure in Akwa Ibom, as anyone caught would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
