By Tunji Braimoh, A

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, has arrested two suspects and impounded a truck carrying about 4,000 litres of suspected adulterated Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), popularly known as diesel, in a renewed crackdown on illegal petroleum product dealings and economic sabotage in the state.

The suspects were apprehended during an intelligence-driven operation conducted by operatives of the Command’s Anti-Vandalism Squad, following credible information on the activities of individuals allegedly involved in the illegal petroleum products trade.

Speaking while parading the suspects at the NSCDC State Command Headquarters in Awka, the State Commandant, Maku Olatunde, said the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to combat criminal activities within the oil and gas sector and protect critical national assets.

According to him, the suspects, identified as Jonas Nwokpoko, 52, from Izza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, and Chinweze Iloh, 28, from Omor in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State, were arrested on July 22, 2026, along Boromeu Road near Limca Road in Onitsha.

He disclosed that the suspects were intercepted while conveying approximately 4,000 litres of a substance suspected to be adulterated diesel in a truck.

Commandant Olatunde explained that the arrest followed actionable intelligence which prompted operatives to monitor and track the suspects’ movements before eventually intercepting the vehicle.

Preliminary investigations, he said, indicate that the suspects may be linked to a criminal network allegedly engaged in the production, transportation and distribution of adulterated petroleum products.

The commandant revealed that the vehicle was initially stopped for a routine inspection during which the operatives requested relevant documents authorising the purchase, sale and transportation of petroleum products in accordance with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act.

However, the suspects allegedly failed to produce the required licences and other supporting documents to establish the legality of the product and the transaction.

Their inability to provide satisfactory documentation led to their arrest, while the truck and its contents were impounded for further investigation.

Olatunde noted that illegal dealings in petroleum products and the distribution of adulterated fuel pose significant threats to public safety, the economy and critical infrastructure.

He described the activities of those involved in petroleum product adulteration and illegal distribution as acts of economic sabotage capable of undermining government efforts to sanitise the oil and gas sector.

The NSCDC boss reiterated the commitment of the corps to enforcing laws protecting critical national, state and local government assets and infrastructure.

He warned individuals engaged in the illegal purchase, sale and transportation of petroleum products to desist from such activities or face the full weight of the law.

According to him, the command will continue to deploy intelligence-led operations and strategic surveillance to identify, arrest and prosecute offenders involved in economic crimes.

He further disclosed that investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the product, identify other members of the suspected syndicate and establish the full scope of their operations.

The command said all persons found to be connected with the alleged criminal enterprise would be prosecuted upon the conclusion of investigations.

Olatunde reaffirmed the resolve of the NSCDC under the leadership of Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, to strengthen public safety through proactive crime prevention, effective intelligence gathering and collaboration with other security agencies.

He also called on residents of Anambra State to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely, credible and actionable information that would aid efforts to combat criminality and protect the state’s economic assets.