Officers of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, have uncovered an illegal bunkering site where suspected oil thieves use for the adulteration of Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, also known as diesel in Lagos.
The suspects were arrested with a large quantity of the product at No. 5 Abayomi Estate, Olusosun, bus stop, in the Oregun axis of Ikeja, Lagos.
The arrest of Babatunde Adedayo, 35 years, John Eric, 35 years, Jude Uwosa, 51 years, Sodiq Olawale, 27 years, Neat John, 20 years and Isaac Anita, 32 years, came following storm on the illegal sites by the gallant Anti-Vandal unit of the Lagos State Command, Commandant Eweka Edenabu Okoro.
Four male and two female suspects were paraded on Friday by Lagos State Command, Commandant Eweka Edenabu Okoro.
According to the gallant Anti-Vandal unit, of the Command, the illegal bunkering site was stormed at about 15:20 hours, on Thursday, 21st July, 2022, when the Anti-Vandal team on routine and surveillance patrol caught up with about six suspected oil thieves, who were caught while attempting to load a forty thousand (40,000) capacity truck, with suspected adulterated AGO, also known as diesel at the site.
The Anti-Vandal Unit, of the Lagos State Command, upon bursting the illegal bunkering site, where it was discovered that AGO was being illegally stored, adulterated and used for commercial purposes.
Recoverd exhibits at the site were, a truck (Scania-white colour), with plate number FS7737XF, including two pumping machines and both empty drums and filled drums, with suspected adulterated AGO.
The Commandant, NSCDC, Lagos State Command, Commandant Eweka Edenabu Okoro had also since directed immediately that the arrested 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.
According to the Civil Defence Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Corps, Abolurin Oluwaseun Olumide in a statement E-signed on Friday, said the Anti-vandal unit of the Command has also been directed by the Commandant to take full charge of the illegal bunkering site immediately, so as to forestall any further untoward activity by these economic saboteurs of our collective commonwealth.
Commandant Eweka Okoro, while addressing news men at the site, earlier today, wondered at the shameful act by citizens, who are perceived to be honourable, considering the environment (gated estate), where the act was being perpetrated.
However, he avowed his unflinching commitment to the vision and mission of the Commandant General, CG Ahmed Abubakar Audi, in relations to the eradication of illegal dealings in petroleum products and all forms of economic sabotage in the state and nation.
The Commandant also said, “I seized this opportunity to warn oil thieves in the state to desist from the inimical act capable of sabotaging the nation’s economy with the disturbing untoward experiences it could bring upon the ordinary citizens of our nation.”
“He however, warned that failure of the unrepentant vandals and oil thieves to desist from the act will be meted with stiffer actions from the Command, which may eventually lead the culprits to face the full wrath of the law.”
Recall that Commandant Eweka Okoro avows his unflinching commitment to the vision of the Commandant General, in relations to the eradication of illegal dealings in petroleum products and all forms of economic sabotage in Lagos State.
The Commandant General, CG, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, CG Ahmed Abubakar Audi has recently reiterated his vow to stamp out oil pipeline vandalism, illegal oil bunkering, illegal dealings in petroleum products, illegal mining of solid and natural minerals and other disheartening forms of economic sabotage, being perpetrated by criminal elements, in our dear nation.
