The Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Operatives in Osun State have apprehended a tanker driver for allegedly diverting Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) intended for the NNPC mega station located in Osogbo, Osun State.
The suspect, Afeez Adegbola, aged 47, was arrested on Friday night in Ikirun while he was in the process of offloading fuel into the reserve tank of an independent filling station situated on the outskirts of the state capital.
According to Sotiyo Igbalawole, the Commandant of the Osun State NSCDC, Adegbola had originally loaded 40,000 liters of petrol for delivery to the NNPC mega station.
However, he allegedly delivered only 30,000 liters to the designated location, diverting the remaining 10,000 liters to another filling station.
The NSCDC emphasized that this arrest underscores its dedication to combating fuel diversion and hoarding, which are significant contributors to artificial fuel scarcity.
Igbalawole stated, “The tanker driver, Afeez Adegbola, along with his assistants, loaded 40,000 liters of Premium Motor Spirit at Pinnacle Distribution Depot in Eleko, Lagos State, with the waybill indicating that the product was to be delivered to NNPC, Osogbo Mega station, Osun State."
He further detailed, “Acting on information provided by concerned members of the public, our personnel tracked the tanker and confirmed that only 30,000 liters were delivered to the NNPC filling station. The driver was apprehended while discharging the remaining 10,000 liters at the TEMPOLA filling station in Ikirun.”
The suspects confessed that the entire 40,000 liters were initially intended for the NNPC Mega Station, but directions from their company led them to deliver only 30,000 liters, while the remaining 10,000 liters were redirected to a private filling station in Ikirun.
The allegations against them contravene sections 1 (a & b) of the Petroleum Production and Distribution (Anti-Sabotage) Act, Cap P12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN), 2004, and are punishable under Section 2 of the same Act.
The Commandant disclosed that the suspects would be prosecuted following a comprehensive investigation to ensure accountability under the law.
He urged stakeholders involved in petroleum product distribution nationwide to avoid any acts of sabotage, emphasizing that the corps will not hesitate to apprehend individuals engaging in such illicit activities.
“The NSCDC appeals to NNPCL Managers and Supervisors across the nation to collaborate with the NSCDC to ensure that saboteurs face justice," he added.
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