The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested seven persons for allegedly transporting fake petroleum products to Akwa Ibom and Kano States.
Mr Pedro Ideba, The Akwa Ibom State Commandant of the corps, Mr Pedro Ideba, made the disclosure while speaking with newsmen in Uyo on Tuesday.
Ideba said that the suspects were picked up at Ibagwa when they were heading to Kano with the adulterated product.
The commandant said they were arrested while transporting 33,000 litres of the product in a truck.
“On Feb. 28 at about 1:30 a.m., we arrested a Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation branded truck, which was loaded with a substance looking like petroleum product from Onne Port in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
“The driver and the conductor were arrested at Ibagwa in Akwa Ibom as they tried to go to the North through Cross River State”.
Ideba said that the command had also secured conviction of four persons who were involved in various criminal acts.
Conducting newsmen round the exhibition yard, Assistant Commandant in charge of Public Relations and Protocol, Mr Ime White, said that some of the suspects used polythene bags to package diesel.
One of the suspects, who admitted to the crime, said he traded in diesel.
The suspect said that he was surprised that the NSCDC apprehended him for doing his business.
“They arrested me because I carried 450 litres of diesel in my car. I bought the product from New Town along the road in Rivers State.
“I was bringing it to Uyo to sell. Nobody sent me, it is the business I do by myself. The whole affair is about hustling”, he said. (NAN)
