NSCDC arrests nine illegal fuel dealers, others in Akwa Ibom

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested nine suspects for illegal dealings in petroleum products and other offences in Akwa Ibom State.

The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Mr. Eluyemi Eluwade, disclosed this during a media briefing at the command headquarters in Uyo on Saturday.

Eluwade said the command’s Anti-vandal Unit arrested the suspects along the Ikot Abasi- Port Harcourt Expressway on July 14.

He added that the agency’s operatives impounded three trucks conveying 135, 000 litres of petroleum products in the operation.

He said: “The trucks were halted for a routine inspection of documents by NSCDC personnel, who insisted on sighting relevant papers including a licence to buy, sell and convey petroleum products as stipulated in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

READ ALSO: NSCDC arrests 19 for alleged possession of illegally refined fuel in Delta

“The inability of the suspects to produce complete relevant documents led to their arrest and their trucks impounded for illegal dealing in petroleum products, an offence punishable by section 17 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.

“Two of the trucks were conveying about 45,000 litres each of Automative Gas Oil (AGO) popularly known as Diesel.

“The third truck was conveying about 45,000 litres of petroleum product suspected to be crude oil or used engine oil, a petroleum by-product for which a license is also required to buy, sell or transport.”

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