Unit, at the weekend stormed the hideout of a diesel adulterating
syndicate at Opebi area of the state, arresting 10 persons in the
process
The team also impounded three oil tankers from the scene. One of the
trucks has number plate LAGOS- EKY-251 XF.
The suspects, who were arrested under the Opebi Link-bridge, Ikeja
Local Government Area, used to produce and sell adulterated diesel to
the unsuspecting members of the public.
The team also impounded several litres of adulterated diesel from the hideout.
It was gathered that the adulterated diesel was produced by mixing
large quantity of kerosene with some diesel.
The illegal activities, according to government officials, have
impacted negatively on the ecosystem within 100 metres radius.
It's not adulterated diesel --Suspect
However, one of those arrested, Mr. Saheed Ibrahim, said they were not
producing adulterated diesel.
According to him, "the products were bought from the tank farms in
Apapa and other authorised locations."
Ibrahim, who presented some of the bills of laden issued at the ports
and the receipts issued to their prospective buyers, said: "We sell
kerosene and diesel products in smaller quantity to those who could
not approach the tank farms."
On why they were operating from a hidden environment as against others
who do such businesses at the depots, he said: "This is the only
location we can carry out the business."
Ismaila Ashiribo, the driver of one of the impounded tankers,
explained that some of the products, especially kerosene, were
purchased from a tank farm (name withheld) at Abule-Ado, Amuwo-Odofin
Local Government Area of Lagos State.
Economic sabotage
Taskforce chairman, Chief Superintendent of Police Bayo Sulaimon, who
led the raid, described the activities as sabotaging the country's
economy.
He said: "This is a situation where some people perpetrate illegal
activities. They buy small diesel and kerosene and mix them up.
Adulteration is going on here at will. The trucks come into the
premises and discharge the products and leave."
Sulaimon added that after the production exercise, "they approach
consumers in the name of registered oil and gas companies and sell
these contaminated products to the public."
The chairman lamented that those arrested used to engage in the
activities with business names without known addresses adding: "It is
alarming that a lot of vehicles and generating sets would have been
damaged by these adulterated products. It is unfortunate.
"We got the information and the combined team of the state Ministry of
the Environment and the officers of the taskforce decided that such
act must not continue in the state."
Sources said although the suspects were licensed to operate but not
under the bridge. "They do not have approval to operate here. This is
a government scheme," the source said.
He explained that the operators seized the opportunity of the presence
of artisans operating few metres from the hideout to carry out their
nefarious acts.
"They (artisans) have been asked to vacate the land few months ago but
they refused. After today, I assure you that we will not allow them to
operate here again. We will be removing the vehicles and the
adulterated diesel from this place and the suspects charged to court."
Sulaimon continued, "Aside the economic sabotage, their activities
have impacted negatively on the community. It has led to water
pollution and the impact is very severe. We will ensure that due
process is followed."
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