Three suspects have been apprehended by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Anambra Command with 1,625 litres of tainted diesel. The suspects were apprehended on March 23 along Atani Road in Odekpe, Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state, according to newsmen on Friday in Awka, according to Olatunde Maku, the NSCDC Commandant in Anambra. He reported that three people were taken into custody by his team: Ifunanya Ike, 29, of Mbano, Imo state; Emeka Chukwuma, 34, also of Ogbaru, Anambra; and Oluchukwu Okeke, 28, of Ogbaru, Anambra. Maku claims that they were driving four different cars carrying 65 kegs, each holding 25 litres of suspected contaminated fuel, for a total estimated volume of 1,625 litres.
He said that the vehicles were two shuttle buses, a white-colored bus with registration number AWK429XY and another ash-coloured bus with registration number GDD277XB.
“This arrest was made possible in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy, and preliminary investigation revealed that the illegally refined products were loaded at Ogbakuma and headed to Okoti community, both in Ogbaru area.
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Maku said that as soon as the investigations were over, the suspects would be put on trial. He urged the public to provide intelligence on illicit oil bunkering operations occurring inside their territories in order to support the command’s redoubled efforts to eradicate illicit oil refining operations in the state.
“I want to commend the Nigerian Navy for their support in the fight against criminality in the state.
“This type of synergy is what is needed to wage a full-scale war against perpetrators of this heinous crime.
“NSCDC, as the lead agency in the protection of critical national, state, and local government assets and infrastructure, is known for its zero tolerance in crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities.
“We remain focused on freeing Anambra state of illegal petroleum products racketeering and other related criminalities,” he said.