Operatives of Osun State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, on Saturday arrest a tanker driver after diverting Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, popularly called petrol meant for NNPC mega station.
The Commandant of NSCDC in Osun State, Sotiyo Igbalawole said the driver, one Afeez Adegbola, 47, was arrested Friday in the night in Ikirun while trying to offload the product into the reserve tank of a filling station in the town.
He added that driver, having loaded the product, meant for NNPC mega station in Osogbo, Osun state capital but offloaded only 30,000 of the 40,000litres in the mega station and took the rest to an independent station outskirt of the state capital.
He said, “The tanker driver, Afeez Adegbola and his motor boys loaded 40,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit at Pinnacle Distribution Depot in Eleko, Lagos state and the waybill indicated that the product should be delivered at NNPC, Osogbo Mega station, Osun state.
“Following a tip off from members of the public, my men trailed the tanker and discovered that only 30, 000liters were delivered at the NNPC filling station, while the driver was caught in the act of discharging the remaining 10, 000litres at one TEMPOLA filling station, Ikirun and was arrested by NSCDC personnel.
“The suspects made a confessional statement that the whole content of 40, 000 was meant to be delivered at NNPC Mega Station but was directed by his company to deliver only 30,000 while the remaining 10,000 was taken to a private filling station at Ikirun”.
He added that the suspects committee contrary to section 1 (a & b) of the Petroleum Production and Distribution (Anti-Sabotage) Act, Cap P12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN), 2004 and punishable under Section 2 of the same Act.
While disclosing that the suspects would be charged to court after the thorough investigation to face full wrath of the law, he charged stakeholders in the distribution of petroleum product nationwide to steer clear act of sabotage as the corps would not hesitate to arrest anyone caught in the act.
“NSCDC uses this medium to request NNPCL Managers/Supervisors nationwide to work with the NSCDC to ensure saboteurs are brought to justice”, he added.