Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps on Thursday sealed Lumco petrol station in Iwofe, Rumuoluemini axis of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State Port Harcourt over alleged dealings in adulterated engine oil and other lubricants.
The NSCDC in Rivers State also arrested four suspects with seven drums of suspected illegally produced lubricants and other chemicals used in the manufacturing of substandard engine oil and grease.
Commandant of NSCDC in Rivers State, Michael Besong Ogar, said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects have stencils with the logo of TotalEnergies and Mobil oil, which are used to produce stickers and label for the adulterated products before distribution to unsuspecting buyers.
Ogar while conducting newsmen around the scene, said the arrest was made possible through credible information, which enthused the anti-vandal patrol team of the Corps to swing into action to effect the arrest and recovered about seven drums of petroleum products suspected to be adulterated engine oil.
He further disclosed that the total number of empty drums meant for conveyance of the products at the scene of the incident, amounted to 300, while other drums with adulterated contents amounted to 33 drums.
“Based on sustained intelligence the Command’s anti-vandal land patrol team arrested four suspects named: Uche Udeh (M) 42years, Simon Nwigwe (M) 52years, Ifeanyi Ndeme (M) 54years and Ikechuckwu Ejefobi (M) 43years.
“The suspects were arrested for illegal dealings in petroleum products and the following items were recovered as exhibits at the point of arrest; seven drums of petroleum products suspected to be adulterated engine oil, six buckets of substandard grease, a Volkswagen van with registration number Rivers BNY709XY, dummy for designing fake labels, and 18 empty kegs of countefeited chemicals.
“As you can see that this illegal site is located right at the back of Lumco Filling Station in Iwofe area; the filling station would be sealed with immediate effect while the owner would be invited for questioning; I can assure you that after the conclusion of thorough investigation, all persons found culpable would be charged to Court.”
Meanhwile, the Command in a separate development, has also arrested two suspects with a Toyota car with registration number Rivers KNM841AA conveying 24,000 litres of suspected adulterated AGO concealed in cellophane bags, from Ibaa community in Emohua for delivery to a location in Aba, Abia State.
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