The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Command in Lagos State has intercepted 15,300 litres of petrol being smuggled out of the country on Friday.
The state NSCDC Commandant, Mr Clement Adesuyi told newsmen in Lagos yesterday that men of the command carried out the operation in Badagry.
“We recovered 45 drums with 300 litres each and 72 other containers with 25 litres each and one Yamaha boat.
“Five suspects who were in the boat jumped into the sea to escape arrest. They were coming from Escravos in Apapa,” he said.
According to him, his men are still on trail of the suspects.
“Our men are still on the watch out for the suspects. We have spread across the border line to ensure that our petroleum products are not smuggled out illegally through the sea.
“One major challenge we have in arresting suspects on the sea is lack of speed boats.
“We currently have about 30 good swimmers in Badagry alone, but we need bigger engine boats.
“Nigeria is losing a lot of money daily through the activities of vandals. We will make Badagry a prohibited area for criminals destroying our economy,’’ Adesuyi said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the intercepted products were taken to the command headquarters, Alausa, with a view to transferring them to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation for further action. (NAN)
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