By Ola Fadoju
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command has paraded some suspected oil thieves, arrested by the new Anti-vandal team of the Command, for the sale of adulterated Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) also known as diesel, at two different locations in the state.
This was revealed in a recent press statement issued by Abolurin Oluwaseun Olumide, the Civil Defence Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Command.
The Commandant NSCDC, Lagos State Command, Commandant Eweka Okoro reiterated his steadfast commitment to the Commandant General’s renewed charge, in relation to eradicating all forms of economic sabotage in the state.
The Commandant while addressing journalists, said: “The repositioned Anti-Vandal team, formed up to invest new morale and vigour into the Command’s Anti-Vandal operations, stormed the domain of a set of illegal oil thieves, at about 14:00hrs, on Friday, 9th September 2022, while on routine and surveillance patrol, which led to the arrest of 2 suspects at Ikate Junction, Lekki-Epe Expressway, where they were caught conveying suspected adulterated AGO, also known as diesel, for commercial purposes.”
In a related development, the Anti-Vandal team also arrested three suspects, in connection with the same crime above, at another location, at Admiralty way, Lekki roundabout, at about 16:35 hrs.
The arrested suspects are Anthony Okeyim (male) 54, Isah Dauda (male) 40, Charles Okere (male) 50, Chibuike Joanes (male) 28 and Jenuwa James (male) 65, who was arrested at Admiralty way, Lekki roundabout at about 16:35hrs, on 9th September 2022.
Trucks recovered from both points of arrest include the following: Mercedes Benz Peddler Truck with Reg., No:TI3643LA, containing an estimated 3,700 litres of suspected adulterated AGO; Peddler Truck with Reg., No:TI 5YILA, containing unquantified substance, suspected to be adulterated AGO; Peddler Truck with Reg., No: TTD583-ZY (Mercedes-Benz), containing 12,500 litres of suspected adulterated AGO and a Mandiesel Peddler Truck with Reg., No: MUS49XK, containing 1,200 litres of suspected to be adulterated AGO.
The Commandant, NSCDC, Lagos State Command, Commandant Weeks Okoro, had since directed that the attested suspects be brought for adequate interrogation and investigation in the intelligence and investigation (INT) Department, at the State Command Headquarters in Alausa Ikeja, before further legal action will be taken on the matter.
Finally, Commandant Eweka Okoro has sounded a new note of warning to vandals and illegal oil dealers or thieves in the state, to permanently desist from the act.
