Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Akwa Ibom Command, says it has arrested six suspects in connection with criminal conspiracy, illegal dealing in petroleum products and impersonation.
The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Mr Eluyemi Eluwade, disclosed this at a news briefing in Uyo on Wednesday.
Eluwade said that the suspects were arrested on Calabar-Itu highway on Jan. 29 by operatives of the anti-vandal squad after a tip-off.
He said that during the operations, the command also impounded a MAC truck used by the suspects in conveying the illegal products.
The commandant stated that a Toyota Camry car used for escorting and clearing the way for the truck to pass through checkpoints without scrutiny was also impounded.
He said that the suspects, who were acting as a joint task force of a security agency, were escorting the truck conveying about 45,000 litres of diesel to an unknown destination without requisite documents.
“The command, acting on intelligence information, deployed its personnel who intercepted the suspects on Calabar-Itu highway,” he said.
Eluwade further stated that the suspects were currently undergoing investigations at the NSCDC state command headquarters.
He warned perpetrators of illegalities in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry to refrain from their nefarious activities.
Eluwade said that NSCDC remained committed to executing the mandate of combating all acts of economic sabotage in the oil and gas sector in the state.
He said that investigations into the matter were ongoing to establish other variables and facts, after which the suspects would be charged to court. (NAN)
