NSCDC Seizes 45,000 Litres of Illicit Petroleum in Akwa Ibom

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) seized a tanker carrying 45,000 litres of illegally sourced petroleum products.

NSCDC State Commandant Mrs Geraldine Abetianbe announced the seizure at a press briefing on Friday, noting that three suspects were taken into custody during the operation, which was based on reliable intelligence.

She said, “On June 23, at about 1300hrs, our operatives acting on credible intelligence intercepted a petroleum tanker at Ikot Umo Essien, along Aba Road, in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The tanker, with a capacity of 45,000 litres, was loaded with a product suspected to be ethanol acquired illegally.”

According to her, when the suspects were questioned by command operatives, they presented a waybill that immediately raised suspicion due to several discrepancies.

‎

Abetianbe added that subsequent investigations and inquiries to confirm the authenticity of the declared point of loading returned negative results.

The commandant warned that illegal dealing in petroleum products is not only a crime but an act of economic sabotage.

She explained that such illegal activity deprives the government of revenue, endangers lives through adulteration and explosions, and undermines national security.

She reiterated that NSCDC, as the lead agency responsible for protecting critical national assets and infrastructure, will continue to carry out its mandate without relent.