Operatives of the Delta State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have arrested a traditional ruler, Solomo Akpochi, from Otukpo, Benue State? and four others for being in possession of a tanker with 33, 000 litres of petrol.
Commandant of the corps in the state, Mr. Amos Musa Andeken, yesterday, told newsmen in Asaba that the suspects were arrested on January 28, 2012 around Olua Ossisa, Ndokwa East Local Government Area of the State by Anti Vandalism Squad of the command that were on patrol. The suspects apprehended alongside the traditional ruler include Mallam Abubakar Ishaku who was the tanker driver, Agbobu Innocent, Benjamin Mukoro and Mallam Yusuf Ibrahim. The suspects however denied the allegation, but the NSCDC boss insisted that upon interrogation? they confessed that the product were loaded inside a bush in Bayelsa State and they? were heading to Kano and Benue States to sell it.
According to Andeken, the 33,000 litres of petrol was found in the tanker with registration number XA695KJM? and that? the suspects? could not produce a waybill as well as other documents necessary to convey the product.
He said: “While my officials interrogated the suspects they claimed they were the rightful owners of the product and were going to Benue to sell it to a construction company that had ordered for it”. He disclosed that the suspects would be charged to court on completion of investigation.