Six Suspects Arrested Over Racketeering Of Petroleum Products

Six suspects have been arrested in connection with criminal conspiracy, illegal dealing in petroleum products, and impersonation in Akwa Ibom State.

The suspects were arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the state.

This was disclosed by the State NSCDC Commandant, Eluyemi Eluwade while briefing newsmen in Uyo on Wednesday, January 31.

The suspects according to Eluwade were arrested along the Calabar-Itu Highway on Monday, January 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 as well as a Toyota Camry car used for escorting and clearing the way for the truck to pass through checkpoints without scrutiny.

He said that the suspects who were acting as a joint task force of a security agency were escorting a truck conveying about 45,000 litres of Automative Gas Oil (AGO) popularly known as Diesel to an unknown destination without requisite documents.

Eluwade said: “The command acting on intelligence information deploys its personnel who intercepted the suspects along the Calabar-Itu highway.

“The suspects, who are currently undergoing investigations at the NSCDC State Command headquarters include; Abbas Ohis, Jubrin James, Aniefiok Okon, Maduka Ojukwu, Idorenyin Etim, and Uche Ahechukwu all males.”

The NSCDC boss warned perpetrators of illegalities in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry to refrain from their nefarious activities.

He added that the Corps remains committed to executing the mandate of combating all acts of economic sabotage in the oil and gas industry in Akwa Ibom.