Smuggling : NSCDC seizes 469,000 litres of PMS in Minna

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC Niger state Command on Wednesday arrested 16 persons in connection with alleged diversion of petroleum motor spirit PMS.

Eight trucks containing over 497,000 litres of petrol were also seized by the operatives.

Among those arrested were the drivers whose names were given as Fatai Sulaiman, Ajibade Wasiu, Abbdulganiyu Abdulkhadir, Sani Ibrahim, Salihu Musa, Abdulganiyu Abdullahi  Fatai Atanda and Rilwanu Sanusi.

State Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr Philip Ayuba, paraded the suspects before newsmen on Wednesday evening during which he said   the suspects intended to smuggle the PMS to Benin republic.

Ayuba  said the suspects were all arrested at Mokwa town adding that from the waybills carried by the suspects they had passed the spot where they were supposed to have discharged the PMS which went to confirm that they wanted to smuggle the products.

The Commandant said the arrests were made following  a tip off by concerned Nigerians who had followed the activities of the smugglers for some time.

While appreciating the role played by patriotic Nigerians, the NNPC and the DPR Ayuba said that they all cooperated with the organisation to facilitate the arrest of the suspects.

Ayuba said the Commandant General of the NSCDC Alhaji Mohammed  Abdullahi Gana had directed that the suspects and the vehicles with their contents should be handed over to the NNPC

Mr Ayuba warned against all forms of smuggling saying it was an act of economic sabotage which carried stiff penalties.

One of the suspects Rilwan Sanusi from Oyo state  in an interview said they were “resting” at Mokwa where they were arrested.

Sanusi however could not explain why they passed where they were supposed to have discharged the PMS.