NSCDC arrests 3, seizes 45,000 litres of ethanol in Akwa Ibom

From Isaac Job, Uyo

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said it has arrested 3 suspects and impounded  a tanker filled with 45, 000 litres of product suspected to be ethanol alleged to have been acquired illegally.

The Commandant, NSCDC, Akwa Ibom Command, Mrs Geraldine Abetianbe, stated  this in Uyo while briefing Journalists on operations of his command .

Abetianbe said  the arrest and subsequent of the product seizure was effected at about 1300hrs, by operatives of the command, acting on credible intelligence at Ikot Umo Essien, along Aba Road, in Essien Udim local government area of the state .

‎”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 that the arrest and impounding of the product were predicated on reasonable suspicion of illegal acquisition and transportation of petroleum products in the state.

She  explained that upon interrogation by operatives of the command, the suspects presented a waybill which immediately raised suspicion due to several discrepancies adding that  further investigation and inquiry conducted to confirm the authenticity of the declared point of loading returned negative.

“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”.

The commandant warned that illegal dealing in petroleum products in the country was not just a crime, but an act of economic sabotage.

According to her, illegal dealing in petroleum products deprived the government of revenue, endangers lives through adulteration and explosions, and undermines national security.

She reiterated that NSCDC, as the lead agency in 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”