Mkpoikana Udoma
07 October 2018, Sweetcrude, Port Harcourt — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday said it had taken delivery of over 283 trucks laden with stolen 5.6 million litres of petroleum products from the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
South-South Zonal Director of EFCC, Mr. Nnaghe Obono-Itam, who disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Port Harcourt, said 283 trucks were apprehended with various adulterated products ranging from AGO, LPFO, DPK, PMS fertilizers, polythene chemicals, as well as genuinely refined products.
Obono-Itam explained that the laboratory analysis result for 25 trucks is still being awaited from the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, adding that trucks were apprehended with their drivers, who were later released on bail by the Nigerian Army before the handing over.
He further stated that 59 of trucks and about 1.2million litres of products such as AGO, DPK, and crude oil, have been temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government.
According to him, “The laboratory result of analysis from the DPR indicates that 121 of the trucks were carrying adulterated AGO; 39 of the trucks were loaded with High Pour Fuel Oil and Low Pour Fuel Oil, while 31 trucks were loaded with waste/lube oil.
“Twenty-four of the trucks loaded genuine products AGO, PMS and DPK from recognized depot in Port Harcourt while 31 trucks were empty at the time of their arrest.
“Eight of the trucks were loaded with goods such as fertilizers, animal feeds, spaghetti, and polythene chemicals.
“The total quantity of products (AGO, DPK, crude oil, PMS, HPFO, LPFO, waste/lube oil) in all the trucks/vehicles is estimated to be 5,600,000 litres (5.6 million litres).”
The Zonal EFCC boss further said the Commission, in locating the owners of the trucks, who are yet to claim their trucks, was currently liaising with various states’ motor licensing agencies for registration of the trucks.
He also said the Commission has recovered over N1.5 billion in cash from the South-South geopolitical zone between the second and third quarter of the year, adding that the amount was recovered from those investigated for fraudulent practices within the period under review.
“In most cases, owners of the truck are not aware of the nefarious acts of all their drivers. Some of the owners of the truck have not reported to claiming ownership of their trucks.
“The ones without owners will be published in Nigerian dailies before their final forfeiture.
“The arresting officers from the Nigerian Army, who are key in the successful prosecution of these cases in court are yet to report for statement despite several appeals.”