By Dianabasi Effiong
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it seized a tanker with a capacity of 45, 000 litres of product suspected to be acquired illegally ethanol.
The Commandant, NSCDC, Akwa Ibom Command, Mrs Geraldine Abetianbe, made this known while briefing some journalists in Uyo on Friday
Abetianbe said that the arrest and seizure were made on Tuesday, at about by operatives of the command, acting on credible intelligence at Ikot Umo Essien, along Aba Road, in Essien Udim.
”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,” he said.
According to Abetianbe the arrest and impounding were made on reasonable suspicion of illegal acquisition and transportation of petroleum products in the state.
She said that upon interrogation by operatives of the command, the suspects presented a waybill which immediately raised suspicion due to several discrepancies.
She added that further investigation and inquiry conducted to confirm the authenticity of the declared point of loading were not successful.
“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,” she said.
The commandant said that illegal dealing in petroleum products in the country is a crime and an act of economic sabotage.
According to her, illegal dealing in petroleum products deprives the government of revenue, endangers lives through adulteration and explosions, and undermines national security.
She said 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,” she said.
