By : Tochi Onyeubi
In line with their mandate to expose illegal dealers in petroleum products, the Imo state command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp, has arrested four suspected kerosene smugglers.
Among the four suspects paraded, was a sacked police officer, Chidiebere Uchenna, 35yrs from Mbutu, Aboh Mbaise. Others were Ifeanyi Nwosu, 43yrs male from Ukwube village in Nkwerre LGA, Ekpe Maduka, 35yrs fron Umugo Oloko in Ikwuano LGA of Abia state, Okemadu Chidera, 26yrs male from Onusa Nkwerre LGA of Imo state.
According to the release made available to Trumpeta, the men were arrested at no. 165 Udumukwu street, Works Layout Owerri, at the residence of Ifeanyi Nwosu with a Toyota Camry car, containing about 1,200 litres of Keorsene (AGO) concealed in nylon bags, conveyed from Mbiama in Bayelsa state and six tanks of 1,000 litres each of which is about five thousand litres of suspected petroleum products- kerosene.
The suspects according to the release, were apprehended by operatives of the anti vandalization unit of NSCDC following intelligence gathering continous surveillance in various locations. The suspects have confessed to the crime while prosecution will take place after investigations are concluded.
Speaking in an interview, the Imo state Commandant, Commandant Raji Adedoye who was visibly shocked with the level of crime, said in the line of his in duty as a commandant in various states, he has not come across packaged suspected adulterated kerosene in nylon bags.
He added that, not only does the offence of indulging in adulterated petroleum product amount to economic sabotage, in event of fire outbreak, not less than 100 houses will be razed down by fire. This, according to him is among the dangers of having such illegal busineses around.
He advised Imo residents to raise alarm and report to the Civil Defence corp when they see such, things suspected to be illegal petroleum products.
Chidera 26, a graduate of FUTO, about to serve, and relative of Ifeanyi said he visited his uncle for assistance, but was caught between, when his uncle was arrested on Monday.
Ifeanyi Nwosu on his own, recounted how hardship drove him into the business coupled with being retrenched and kidnapped, leaving him with no source of livelihood.
According to him, the business which is not upto five months, was introduced to him by a friend and most of the time given to him on trust, after sales at Onitsha road, he pays back. He stressed that he never knew the business was illegal as he uses hydrometer to gauge the quality of the products.
He however maintained that, he was doing business with Chidera and Maduka for the first time.
When quizzed, Chidera informed that, boys from Rivers state bring it to them at Mbiama and they buy from them.
Exhibit recovered from them were, Ash coloured Toyota Camry, with reg no. Lagos KU 816 AAA, about 6,200 litres of suspected adulterated AGO, Police cap.
