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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

NSCDC cracks down on illegal petroleum trade, nabs two suspects in Anambra

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Under investigation
  • The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Anambra State arrested two suspects for illegal dealing in petroleum products.
  • A truck carrying approximately 4,000 liters of suspected adulterated Automotive Gas Oil was impounded during the operation.
  • The NSCDC emphasized its commitment to combating economic sabotage and protecting national assets, with ongoing investigations to identify other syndicate members.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Anambra State has arrested two individuals for alleged criminal conspiracy and illegal petroleum product trading. The operation also resulted in the seizure of a truck containing about 4,000 liters of suspected adulterated Automotive Gas Oil.

Acting on credible and actionable intelligence, operatives of the Command’s Anti-Vandalism Squad tracked and arrested one Mr Jonas Nwokpoko, male, aged 52, from Izzi South LGA of Ebonyi State, and Chinweze Iloh, male, aged 28, from Omor, Ayamelum LGA.

— Maku OlatundeAnambra State NSCDC Commandant, Maku Olatunde, detailing the arrest of the suspects.

Anambra State NSCDC Commandant, Maku Olatunde, stated that the arrests were the outcome of intelligence-led operations targeting economic sabotage within the oil and gas sector. The suspects, identified as Jonas Nwokpoko, 52, and Chinweze Iloh, 28, were apprehended on Boromeu Road near Limca Road in Onitsha.

They were apprehended on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at about 14:30 hours along Boromeu Road, near Limca Road, Onitsha, with a truck loaded with about 4,000 litres of suspected adulterated product.

— Maku OlatundeAnambra State NSCDC Commandant, Maku Olatunde, providing details of the apprehension.

During a routine inspection, NSCDC personnel discovered the suspects could not produce valid documents for buying, selling, or transporting petroleum products, as required by the Petroleum Industry Act. This inability to provide documentation led to their arrest and the impoundment of the truck, constituting an offense under the Miscellaneous Offences Act.

Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspects were allegedly linked to a criminal syndicate suspected of dealing in adulterated products.

— Maku OlatundeAnambra State NSCDC Commandant, Maku Olatunde, on the preliminary findings.

Commandant Olatunde described the suspects' activities as economic sabotage and vowed that the NSCDC would diligently pursue its mandate to protect national assets and combat illegal petroleum dealings. Investigations are ongoing to uncover the full scope of the suspects' alleged criminal activities and to prosecute all involved parties.

The truck was halted for a routine inspection of documents by NSCDC personnel, who insisted on sighting relevant papers, including licences to buy, sell and convey petroleum products as stipulated in the Petroleum Industry Act.

— Maku OlatundeAnambra State NSCDC Commandant, Maku Olatunde, explaining the reason for the inspection.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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