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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Anambra State has impounded a truck transporting 45,000 litres of suspected adulterated diesel mixed with gas condensates.
The State Commandant, Maku Olatunde, disclosed this on Wednesday at the NSCDC headquarters in Awka, saying the truck was intercepted during an intelligence-led operation.
According to him, the truck driver abandoned the vehicle and fled after spotting NSCDC operatives.
Olatunde said officers from the Anti-Vandalism Squad, led by Chris Nwosu, intercepted the truck at about 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday along Awka Road in Onitsha after acting on credible intelligence.
He explained that the operation forms part of the corps’ ongoing efforts to combat pipeline vandalism and illegal petroleum product dealings in line with the directive of the Commandant General.
The truck and its contents were moved to the NSCDC state headquarters in Awka for safekeeping and further investigation to prevent the suspected product from entering the market.
“The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Anambra State Command, in continuation of its operations in tandem with the Commandant General’s vision to eradicate the menace of vandalism of oil pipelines and illegal dealings in petroleum products across the nation, has impounded a truck suspected to be conveying 45,000 litres of adulterated Automotive Gas Oil (AGO/Diesel) mixed with gas condensates, after the driver fled the scene.
“Credible intelligence led the Head of the Anti-Vandalism Squad, CSC Chris Nwosu, and his team to track and intercept the truck on Tuesday, at about 1645 hours along Awka Road, Onitsha.
“Upon sighting the NSCDC team, the driver abandoned the truck with the products and fled the scene.
“The Command, in ensuring the seized consignments did not find their way to the market, took the truck and the suspected adulterated product to the State Command Headquarters, Awka, for safe custody and further investigations,” he said.
The commandant said the corps remains committed to eliminating oil theft and other forms of economic sabotage in the petroleum sector.
He added that samples of the suspected adulterated product would be subjected to laboratory analysis, while efforts were ongoing to track down the fleeing driver and anyone connected to the operation.
Olatunde warned those involved in illegal petroleum activities to desist or face prosecution, assuring residents that the command would continue strengthening intelligence gathering, surveillance and collaboration with other security agencies to bring offenders to justice.
