The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Akwa Ibom state command says it has arrested two suspects with over 3,000 litres of suspected adulterated Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) concealed in a truck laden with yoghurt drink.
The Akwa Ibom commandant of NSCDC, Mr Samuel Fadeyi, disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the command exhibits yard in Uyo on Wednesday .
Fadeyi said the suspects, who claimed they were coming from Ahoada, Rivers state were nabbed on Friday April 23, by patrol team on surveillance in Itu Local Government Area.
He said since criminals were devising more techniques to beat security check point, there was absolute need for security personnel to improve on intelligence gathering, in order to tackle crime and criminality in the state.
“Like we have always done to update you on activities and indeed activities of some criminal elements among us, essentially to inform the public, and let them know the ills that some of this activities bring on us.
“Now look at this, this vehicle was intercepted by our men around Itu, and ordinarily it is conveying yoghurt, but it is used to conceal AGO, taken from an illegal refinery at Ahoada in Rivers state.
“They have been successfully to a point, deceived security operatives on the way until they got to Itu LGA, kudos to our men, they were able to get through their deceit and were able to discover that the yoghurt were used to conceal illegal Diesel (AGO).
“Apart from the infact that it is illegal in itself to illegally refined petroleum products, which is dangerous, look at the yoghurt that is for consumption, it is already contaminated and will be exposed to the public for consumption.
“Two suspects were arrested on Friday concerning this and as you have seen, you have seen the AGO, you have seen how they concealed it,” Fadeyi said.
Fadeyi charged everyone to be vigilant on activities of criminal elements around them with the level of insecurity in the country, adding that the yoghurt would be destroyed as it was no more safe for consumption.
The state commandant added that all the two suspects would immediately be charged to Court as soon as investigation is completed.
Fadeyi called on security personnel, especially those at the border posts to be extra vigilant, and at alert to contain with the antics of criminals, so that Akwa Ibom and Nigeria would be safe.
