NSCDC arrests four for smuggling 1,571 litres of fuel to bandits

No fewer than four suspects have been arrested by the Zamfara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for smuggling approximately 1,571 litres of petroleum products.

According to the NSCDC, the products, which were loaded in jerrycans, were allegedly being illegally transported to areas prone to banditry.

Sani Mustapha, the state NSCDC boss, who spoke to reporters through the command’s Public Relations Officer, Umar Muhammad, disclosed that the arrests were made at two separate locations.

Two filling station pump attendants and two buyers were apprehended in the state’s Birnin Magaji and Tsafe Local Government Areas.

Muhammad stated that, in addition to transporting fuel from unauthorised locations, the suspects violated the Executive Order prohibiting the sale of petroleum products in jerrycans within Zamfara State.

He disclosed that two suspects were apprehended in Birnin Magaji with 1,296 litres of fuel worth approximately N1.4m, while the other two were arrested in Tsafe with 275 litres, valued at about N324,000.

“Today, we bring before you four suspects apprehended for illegal dealings in PMS in large quantities, violating the National and State Executive Order on petroleum product sales to retailers in jerrycans,” he stated.

Mohammed added that the suspects would be charged in court upon the completion of the investigation.

PUNCH Metro recalls that the Ogun State Command of the Corps carried out a similar interception in 2024 when its operatives seized 4,200 litres of petrol in the Akere area of the Ipokia Local Government Area.