Two men have been arrested by officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Kwara State for alleged illegal diversion of a truck-load of petrol.
The State Commandant of the corps, Mr. Augustine Ibekwe, who paraded the suspects at the command’s headquarters in Ilorin Thursday, claimed they were nabbed at Aboto-Oja along Afon road in Asa Local Government Area.
Ibekwe said the loading documents of the petroleum product stated that the fuel was actually meant for a filling station located at Akerebiata along Sobi road in the Ilorin metropolis. He, thereafter, directed his men and officers in the command to lead the suspects and the truck to the filling station which the product was meant to be discharged.
The NSCDC boss, who said that further investigations would be conducted on the arrest to fish out other accomplice, added that every suspect involved in the matter would be prosecuted.
He also warned other people in the act of economic sabotage like diversion or hoarding of petroleum products to desist, saying they would be severely dealt with when caught.
Meanwhile, authorities of the Corps in Benue State Thursday ordered its men to embark on total clampdown on fuel black marketers and arrest any filling station operator that indulges in sharp practices.
State Commandant of the corps, Mr. Ogumba Andrew, who gave the order in a statement, also ordered immediate stoppage of all black marketing and other sharp practices currently being perpetrated by some members of the public in connivance with petrol station operators in the state.
Ogumba said the command has dispatched armed patrol teams to monitor activities at all filling stations across the state to curb the menace of black marketers in order to ensure smooth sale of petroleum products to the public.
The Commandant urged members of the public to report any person found wanting in this regard to the command for necessary action.
