The Osun Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has arrested a Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) truck driver, Afeez Adegbola, on allegations of diverting 10,000 litres of petrol intended for the company.
The arrest of the suspect, Adebola and his two motorboys, was disclosed by the Osun NSCDC Commandant, Igbalawole Sotiyo during a public parade in Osogbo on Saturday.
According to Sotiyo, the arrest occurred at about 8:21pm on Friday after a tip-off.
The Osun NSCDC boss revealed that Adegbola had loaded 40,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, otherwise known as petrol, at Pinnacle Distribution Depot in Eleko, Lagos, with instructions to deliver the fuel to the NNPCL Mega Station in Osogbo.
He said however that during surveillance, NSCDC officers tracked the truck, registered as AGG 959 XA, and found that only 30,000 litres were delivered to the intended station, while the remaining 10,000 litres were redirected to a private filling station, TEMPOLA, in Ikirun, Ifelodun local government council area.
The suspects reportedly admitted that the full load of 40,000 litres was meant for the Osogbo NNPCL station but claimed their company directed them to offload 10,000 litres at the private station.
Condemning the action, Sotiyo described it as economic sabotage and theft.
He also urged stakeholders in petroleum distribution to avoid engaging in such practices.
He called on NNPCL managers nationwide to work with the NSCDC to prevent similar incidents, adding that those involved in product diversion would be brought to justice.
He said, “It is an act of sabotage and stealing against the state. They are saboteurs and anti-state agents.
“NSCDC is using this medium to warn all the stakeholders involved in the distribution of petroleum products nationwide that anyone caught sabotaging the government would be apprehended and prosecuted.
“NSCDC uses this medium to request NNPCL Managers/Supervisors nationwide to work with the NSCDC to ensure saboteurs are brought to justice,” he said.
Sotiyo also issued a warning to criminal elements in the state.
“I want to inform the good people of Osun State that there is a new Sheriff in town.
“It is no more business as usual. Therefore, all criminally minded people in the state must have a change of heart or be ready to face the consequences of their actions.”
“At the expiration of the investigation,” Sotiyo revealed, “the suspects will be charged to a court.”