Operatives of the police Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering (STFPIB) have intercepted a 40-feet container truck conveying a large quantity of crude products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) stuffed in sacks.
The truck with registration number JRV 322 XV was driven by one Chukwudi Okafor aged 54, who had been arrested in connection with the offence.
Force PRO, Olumuyiwa Adejobi said preliminary investigations had shown that the driver was a member of a high-powered syndicate responsible for illegal bunkering in the area and beyond, and the arrest of the driver had definitely provided a lead to the arrest of other members of the syndicate.
The recovered truck with the accompanying product is currently in police custody at the Refinery Life Camp Division, Eleme, pending the conclusion of investigations.
Meanwhile, the inspector-general of police, Usman Baba has ordered tactical and intelligence commanders of the force to deploy assets towards tackling perpetrators of economic crimes aimed at sabotaging and weakening the revenue-generating apparatus of the country.
He stressed that the actions of these economic saboteurs had become worrisome due to the huge losses being recorded as a result of their criminal activities.
The IGP issued the directives while charging the newly appointed assistant commissioner of police in charge of the IGP-STFPIB, Lot Lantoh Garba, to improve on the fight against economic crimes.
The inspector-general of police also warned police operatives attached to the task force to be focused, committed, and patriotic.
He charged them to discharge their duties devoid of corruption, favouritism, and compromise.
The IGP further warned all economic saboteurs to cease their unwholesome activities henceforth else they would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
