The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra Command, has impounded a truck conveying 45,000 litres of suspected adulterated Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), popularly known as diesel, in Onitsha.
The State Commandant, Mr Olatunde Maku, disclosed this on Wednesday while inspecting the seized truck at the command headquarters in Awka.
Maku said the truck, suspected to be transporting adulterated diesel mixed with gas condensates, was intercepted following credible intelligence.
He said operatives of the command’s Anti-Vandalism Squad, led by CSC. Chris Nwosu, tracked and intercepted the truck at about 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday along Awka Road, Onitsha.
According to him, the driver abandoned the truck and fled on sighting the NSCDC operatives.
“The command ensured that the seized consignment did not find its way into the market.
“The truck and the suspected adulterated petroleum product were subsequently towed to the state command headquarters in Awka, for safe custody and further investigation,” he said.
Maku reiterated the corps’ commitment to combating oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other forms of illegal dealings in petroleum products.
He said samples of the suspected product would be subjected to laboratory analysis, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing driver and other accomplices.
The commandant warned those involved in economic sabotage to desist or face the full weight of the law.
“We are ready to combat all acts of economic sabotage in the oil and gas industry and shall put in every effort to rid the sector of miscreants,” he said.
He assured members of the public that the command would continue to strengthen intelligence gathering, surveillance and collaboration with other security agencies to bring perpetrators of economic sabotage to justice. (NAN)
