The Police have arrested two serving officers of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for dealing in suspected illegally refined petroleum products (diesel) with a patrol van belonging to the NSCDC.

Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Jimoh O. Moshood, while parading a cross section of suspects at the Police Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, gave the names of the suspects as Asst. Supt. II Agah Ovie and Asst. Supt. II Angel Kilosomewo.

The Police also said it recovered from the suspects, “a Mitsubushi patrol van belonging to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (in colour of NSCDC) and 350 litres of suspected illegally refined petroleum product AGO (diesel) in15 sacks containing 25 litres each.”

Giving further details, CSP Moshood said: “The IGP’S Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering on March 7 at about 2100hrs while on patrol intercepted a patrol van belonging to the NSCDC loaded with suspected Illegally Refined Petroleum Product AGO (diesel) along Otuasegha area of Yenagoa (Bayelsa State) and arrested the two suspects mentioned above. The suspects volunteered confessional statements admitting to be personnel of the NSCDC attached to Critical Infrastructure Department, Bayelsa State Command, and that the van belongs to their HOD ACC Lawrence Ndubushi.

“The office of the suspects has been informed and the Police investigation team is awaiting their response to conclude investigation into the case. They will be charged to court on completion of investigation for dealing in suspected illegally refined petroleum products AGO (Diesel) under the petroleum and miscellaneous offences acts.

“The IGP is hereby assuring every Nigerian of the renewed commitment of the Force to continue to work assiduously to protect the nation’s oil and gas investments and other critical infrastructures.

“This criminal act is worrisome because of the consequences of economic hardship, damage to public infrastructures, and loss of government huge investments in the oil sector.

“Consequent upon the above, the IGP reorganised and empowered the Police Task Force on Illegal Petroleum bunkering to decisively tackle these criminals and their collaborators.”

According to the Force PRO, “Coordinated operations carried out by IGP’s Special Task Force on Petroleum/Illegal Bunkering between 7/3/2017 and 20/3/2017, in Nasarawa, Delta and Ogun States led to the interception and recovery of nine Trailer Trucks loaded with 33,000 litres of suspected adulterated AGO (diesel) each, while the drivers abandoned the vehicles and escaped into the bush on sighting the Special Task force Team. The laboratory analysis carried out by Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC) revealed that the products are off specification. Investigation is being intensified to arrest the suspects and their sponsors in order to bring them to justice.”

The nine trailer trucks were identified as:

i. DAF Truck with Reg. No. KZR 742 XA in Police custody Abuja

ii. DAF Truck with Reg. No. RBC 366 ZX in Police custody Abuja

iii DAF Truck with Reg. No. LFA 668 XB in Police custody Abuja

iv. DAF Truck with Reg. No. LFA 797 XS in Police custody Abuja

v. DAF Truck with Reg. No. BGT 286 XA in Police custody Abuja

vi. Mark Truck with Reg. No. RSH 711 ZZ in Police custody Warri

vii. DAF Truck with Reg. No. MKA 370 XH in Police custody Ugheli

viii. DAF Truck with Reg. No. MKA 190 ZB in Police custody Shagamu

ix. IVECO Truck with Reg. No. SM 628 XJ in Police custody Warri

CSP Moshood also said that the police it established a case of unlawful possession of firearms, conspiracy and violence during the Rivers State supplementary election to the state House of Assembly against some persons at Etche.

His words: “On Saturday the 25th February, 2017 during the re-run of the Rivers state legislative election, suspected thugs unleashed violence on voters, shooting indiscriminately and thereby hijacked ballot boxes, in gross violation of the electoral act. In the process the two suspects were identified and arrested by SARS patrol team at Etche, Rivers State. In the Acura Jeep with Reg No. AFM 875 FN Rivers, recovered in the possession of the two suspects, were two AK 47 rifles, 24 rounds of live ammunition and two expended ammunition shells, and 50 PDP card/tags. Investigation is being intensified to arrest the following suspects still at large. There are hereby advised to report themselves at the nearest Police Station: Samuel Nwanosilla, Odiane Princewill and Roland Sekibo.”

The Police Spokesman gave the names of arrested persons as Brigg Dinabo ‘M’, 25 years, and Harry Omeba ‘M’, 39 years. Exhibits tendered by the police against the accused include:

i. Two AK 47 rifles

ii. Three magazines

iii. 24 round of live ammunition

iv. Two expended ammunition shell

v. 50 PDP card/Tags

vi. One Acura Jeep with Reg. No. AFM875FN (Rivers)

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