A driver, Irekpita Ezekiel, has been arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Delta State Command for allegedly concealing Automotive Gas Oil popularly called diesel in nylon bags.
This was made known by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Anthony Uchenna, who said operatives intercepted the driver’s white Ford van on July 21, 2023, at the East-West Road, Patani area of the state.
The statement read, “On July 21, 2023, the anti-vandal team on routine patrol at East-West Road, Patani Delta State, intercepted a white Ford van with number plate KRD786YE and the driver, Irekpita Ezekiel.
“The driver said that he was carrying waybills of red oil from Water Land, Izuru Park, Port Harcourt, Rivers State to Lagos State.
“When we searched the jerry cans, we discovered another level of concealment and smuggling of AGO in the name of red oil.
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“The syndicate bagged AGO in nylon bags inside the jerry cans, cut a plastic bottle in half and forced it into each of the jerry cans and poured red oil on the plastic bottle and covered it to beat security.
“The driver was arrested and moved to our base in Patani, Delta State. There were 45 jerry cans each of 25 litres capacity.”
Additionally, the PRO said two of the receivers of the illegal product were arrested with the aid of the Lagos State Command of the NSCDC and the logistics company who are owners of the vehicle.
Uchenna said the other suspects were arrested in Lagos on July 22, 2023, and were transferred to the Delta State command on July 23.
He said the command had invited the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority for sample taking and analysis of the AGO while the investigation continued.
The spokesperson added that they would be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.