By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Four persons have been arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, for allegedly dealing in adulterated petroleum products.

The suspects were arrested along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway in Ihiala Local Government Area of the state while conveying 90,000 litres of adulterated products, referred to as Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) in two trucks.

The suspects include Mohammed Nuradden, 30; Sani Zubaru, 43; Abdulahi Lawal, 33; and Suleman Mohammed, 36, all from Kaduna State.

Confirming the arrest to journalists in Awka, the State Commandant, Everestus Obiyo, said the suspects were not licensed to deal in petroleum products, adding that the used trucks had no permit to be used for conveyance of the product.

He said: “The Anti-Vandalism Squad of our command, headed by ACC Dennis Reuben on 23rd September, at about 2200 hours intercepted and arrested four suspects with two trucks loaded with 45,000 each or Low Pour Fuel Oil, also known as black oil.

“They were arrested while transporting the suspected adulterated petroleum products in two branded Conoil trucks with registration numbers; Kano KMC-466-ZO and Kano KMC-166-ZQ.

“The suspects were not licensed to deal in petroleum products, while the trucks used have no permit to be used for conveyance of the product.

“My primary assignment in the state is to sanitize the petroleum products racketeering, towards a better environment, for economic growth, and that he will not rest on his oars in carrying out the task.”

According to the Commandant, the suspects have all confessed their various roles in the crime, saying that they would be charged to court on conclusion of investigations.