NAN-HE-18
Petroleum
By Kingsley Okoye
Abuja, Dec. 21, 2016 (NAN) The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) anti- pipeline vandalism and petroleum products adulteration operation team says it has begun a crackdown on culprits involved in sharp practices in the sector.
The National Head of the unit, Chief Clement Mgbechi, said this in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.
Mgbechi said that the IPMAN team had also been given formal approval by government to apprehend people involved in pipeline vandalism and other illicit activities, especially the adulteration of petroleum products nationwide.
He said the team was liaising with operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) to ensure the success of its operation.
He said the team was also mandated to turn in its weekly report to the head of the anti pipeline vandalism department of the NSCDC in Abuja.
He said that the team began operation in Anambra , Abia, Enugu, Imo and Ebonyi states.
According to him, the team has recorded some measure of successes through the arrest of some offenders .
“ The operation of the team indicates that at least two trucks were arrested in the commercial city of Onitsha and Obosi community of Anambra State.
“The culprits, numbering five, were arraigned in court yesterday (Monday) in Awka, the Anambra State capital and were later remanded in custody until their next appearance in court.“
Mgbechi warned pipeline vandals and their accomplices to desist from their nefarious acts, noting that anyone caught in the act would be brought to judgment.
“We will do within our terms of reference to help the Federal Government to minimise and at best put a stop to these crimes that diminish the human personality.”
He called on Nigerians to report all cases of pipeline vandalism and petroleum products adulteration in their domains.
He also warned unscrupulous oil marketers who indulged in pipeline vandalism and petroleum products adulteration to stop forthwith.
He commended security agencies for their unrelenting cooperation in the fight against criminality, especially in the petroleum sector (NAN).
KC/IA
Edited by Idris Abdulrahman