NSCDC arrests four over ‘illegal dealing’ of petroleum products in Niger state

The Niger state command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested four suspects over alleged illegal dealing of petroleum products.

Babawale Afolabi, NSCDC spokesperson, announced the development in a statement on Saturday.

He said the suspects were arrested in Sabon Wuse LGA of Niger state.

The spokesperson said Jaochin Okafor, Niger state NSCDC commandant, has declared war against all acts of vandalism.

“Commandant Joachin Okafor has declared war against all acts of Vandalism of all Critical National Assets and Infrastructure in the State. Okafor upon assumption of duty as the 16th substantive Commandant affirmed that the command under his watch would work assiduously to effectively prosecute the mandate of the NSCDC without compromise,” the statement reads.

“He hinted that with a renewed vigour, the Antivandal Squad of the Command through credible Intelligence have arrested 4 suspects at Sabon Wuse Local Government Area of Niger State for their allegedly involvement and illegal dealings in petroleum products.

“Based on the available Intelligence, our Antivandal Squad swung into action and 4 Suspects operating an oil dump site were arrested. On the site, we met their production gadgets and materials used for mixing Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO).

“From the confessional statements volunteered by the suspects, they confirmed that they operate an oil dump site where LPFO popularly known as BLACK OIL are being adulterated by mixing condemn oil, crude oil and premium motor spirit to finally produce LPFO.

“The names of the suspects are as follows: Abdullahi Musa (M) 45years who hails from Jigawa State, he is into sales of adulterated oil (black oil) to customers who buy and use without knowing the oil could damage their generators. Another one is Hussein Sulaiman (M) 25years from Nassarawa State, who work as apprentice under Abubakar Saidu (Owner of the dump site).

“The third suspect is Murtala Mohammed (M) 37years who hails from Kano State and does business in Gas & Petrol; while the fourth suspect is Mohammed Sanusi (M) 35years is from Kano State and trades in Engine oil, Petrol and Gas”.

Afolabi said the suspects were caught pouring about three drums of crude oil in a carved concrete container in preparation for mixing.

“An apartment used for Soap production was also sighted with many drums and chemicals; the suspects could not produce any license of operation hence there have been operating illegally making the public to buy adulterated products,” he added.

The spokesperson said a thorough investigation would be carried out to ascertain the level of the involvement of the suspects after which they would be charged to court.

Afolabi added that the Niger NSCDC commandant urged the public to engage in meaningful businesses rather than risk being caught engaging in any act of economic sabotage.