The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, has intercepted a truck allegedly transporting 45,000 litres of suspected adulterated Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, mixed with gas condensates.
The State Commandant, Maku Olatunde, disclosed the development while briefing journalists at the NSCDC headquarters in Awka on Wednesday, saying the vehicle was impounded during an intelligence-led operation.
According to Olatunde, the truck was intercepted on Tuesday at about 4:45 p.m. along Awka Road in Onitsha by operatives of the Command’s Anti-Vandalism Squad led by CSC Chris Nwosu.
He said the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled immediately after noticing the approaching NSCDC operatives, leaving behind the suspected illegal petroleum products.
The commandant explained that the operation formed part of the Corps’ sustained efforts to curb pipeline vandalism, oil theft, and the illegal trade in petroleum products in line with the directive of the Commandant General.
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To prevent the products from entering the market, he said the truck and its contents were moved to the NSCDC State Command Headquarters in Awka, where they are being kept pending the outcome of investigations.
Olatunde revealed that samples of the suspected adulterated diesel would be forwarded for laboratory analysis to determine its composition, while security operatives intensify efforts to arrest the fleeing driver and other individuals linked to the consignment.
He reaffirmed the command’s determination to stamp out economic sabotage in the oil and gas sector, warning those involved in illegal petroleum activities to abandon such practices or face prosecution.
The NSCDC boss also assured residents that the command would continue strengthening intelligence gathering, surveillance, and collaboration with other security agencies to identify, arrest, and prosecute perpetrators of oil-related crimes across the state.