By Tony Edike

ENUGU—OPERATIVES of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC), Enugu State Command have apprehended eight persons suspected to be involved in the adulteration of petroleum products in the state.

NSCDC also impounded three trucks used by the suspects to perpetuate the illegal act during a raid in the early hours of Tuesday.

The new state commandant of the corp, Mr. Sikiru Raimi, who confirmed the arrests yesterday said he was yet to be fully briefed on the matter.

“I will like to have a cordial relationship with the media in Enugu . But I just arrived on a transfer and I need to meet with the number one citizen here before I can say more. On the trucks impounded by our men, I have not been fully briefed on the matter and I cannot say much, so please bear with me,” the commandant told reporters in Enugu yesterday.

But an official of the corp revealed that the light green trucks with the registration numbers XD 645SSM and XA827GWB were impounded in Emene area of Enugu.

The trucks with inscriptions “Haulage, Petroleum Products and Marketing & General Consultancy”,  at press time were parked at the new market road office of the Corp.

The source said the suspects were apprehended while allegedly mixing kerosene with engine oil, perhaps to get diesel, but luck ran out on them when operatives of the corp swooped on them following a  tip off.

“They were caught in the act. You can see the truck lined up and I believe prosecution will start immediately,” the official said.