8th June, 2012
The Delta command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) says it has arrested 11 persons with about 11,185 litres of illegal petroleum product valued at about N1.73 million.
Mr. Amos Andekin, state Commandant of the corps, who disclosed this on Thursday in Asaba, said that the arrest was made in the last one month between May 9, and June 5.
Andekin said that the arrests, which were made in different parts of the state, involved suspected illegal petroleum product, particularly diesel.
He said that on May 9, the anti-vandal squad of the command intercepted an Audi station wagon vehicle with fake registration number Delta WWR 16, with several gallons and litres of illegal petroleum product.
The commandant explained that the vehicle with original number Delta AL 739 SKL was arrested at Obiaruku in Ukwuani Local Government Area of the state, heading to Agbor in Ika South Local Government Area.
He said that two suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure.
Andekin also said that on May 26, at Ozoro in Isoko North Local Government Area of the state 5,000 litres of same product were seized in a vehicle with registration number, Anambra, XC 917AGU with five suspects.
He said that investigation, which revealed that the vehicle loaded at the Bomadi Water Side, also showed that the products were concealed in between 72 drums of local gin with specific information.
The commandant further disclosed that the third arrest was made on May 28, at Otu Jeremi in Ughelli South Local Government Area, adding that it involved an Econovan bus with registration number Delta XB 805 UGH.
He, however, said that one suspect was arrested with about 1, 400 litres of illegal diesel product.
He explained that on June 5, three persons were arrested with about 3,250 litres of suspected illegal petroleum product at the Koka junction in the state capital.
He said that the vehicle with registration number Anambra AWK 471 XA had also loaded at the Bomadi Water Side and was heading to Onitsha before the arrest.
Andekin said that in all the cases title documents for their transactions and movement could not be produced and that they would all be charged to court on the completion of preliminary investigation.