The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Niger State, has arrested four suspects over alleged illegal dealings in petroleum products in the Sabon Wise Local Government Area of the state.
The Commandant, Joachim Okafor, made the disclosure in Minna, the state capital, saying the suspects were arrested by the Anti-Vandal Squad after credible information revealed they were involved in illegal dealing 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,” he said.
He explained that the suspects confessed to the crime, saying they operate an oil dump site where LPFO, popularly known as black oil, are being adulterated by mixing condemned oil, crude oil and premium motor spirit to finally produce LPFO.
The suspects include Abdullahi Musa, a 45-year-old from Jigawa State; Hussein Sulaiman, a 25-year-old from Nasarawa State; Murtala Mohammed, 37 years; and Mohammed Sanusi, 35 years, who both hail from Kano State.
“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,” he added.
According to him, “on the day of the arrest, the four Suspects were caught pouring about three Drums of crude oil in a carved concrete container in the Kango Company 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 they have been operating illegally making the public buy adulterated products”.
Okafar revealed that a thorough investigation would be carried out to ascertain the level of their involvement in the act after which they would be appropriately charged to court.
He further affirmed that as the 16th substantive Commandant, the command under his watch would work assiduously to effectively prosecute the mandate of the NSCDC without compromise.
