The Osun Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) recently made headlines by arresting Afeez Adegbola, a truck driver for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), over allegations of fuel diversion and theft. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges with fuel distribution and the efforts by authorities to curb economic sabotage in Nigeria.
The NSCDC Commandant in Osun, Igbalawole Sotiyo, revealed that Adegbola, along with two assistants (known as motorboys), was detained following a tip-off received on Friday evening. According to Sotiyo, Adegbola had loaded a full tanker of 40,000 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, at the Pinnacle Distribution Depot in Eleko, Lagos. His task was to deliver the entire load to the NNPCL Mega Station in Osogbo.
Through careful monitoring, NSCDC officers tracked the truck’s journey and observed that only 30,000 liters of fuel were delivered to the Osogbo station. The remaining 10,000 liters were diverted to TEMPOLA, a private filling station in Ikirun, a town in Ifelodun local government area. Upon questioning, Adegbola and his team admitted the diversion but claimed they had received instructions from their company to offload part of the fuel at the private station.
Describing the act as both theft and economic sabotage, Commandant Sotiyo stressed the negative impact of such activities on Nigeria’s fuel supply chain and economy. He called on all stakeholders in the petroleum industry to stay vigilant and adhere to ethical practices.
He encouraged NNPCL managers across the country to collaborate with the NSCDC to prevent further incidents of fuel diversion. He emphasized that anyone involved in similar activities would face strict legal consequences.
He said,
“It is an act of sabotage and stealing against the state. They are saboteurs and anti-state agents.
“NSCDC is using this medium to warn all the stakeholders involved in the distribution of petroleum products nationwide that anyone caught sabotaging the government would be apprehended and prosecuted.
“NSCDC uses this medium to request NNPCL Managers/Supervisors nationwide to work with the NSCDC to ensure saboteurs are brought to justice,”
Sotiyo issued warning to crime’s in the state.
“I want to inform the good people of Osun State that there is a new Sheriff in town.
“It is no more business as usual. Therefore, all criminally minded people in the state must have a change of heart or be ready to face the consequences of their actions.”
“At the expiration of the investigation,” Sotiyo revealed, “the suspects will be charged to a court.”
This arrest serves as a reminder of the need for transparency in the petroleum sector and the critical role law enforcement plays in protecting Nigeria’s economic resources. The NSCDC’s actions underline their commitment to ensuring that resources meant for public use are not misappropriated.
As fuel scarcity remains a concern, the NSCDC’s proactive stance on addressing these issues provides some reassurance to Nigerians. This case stands as an example of the consequences that can follow when ethical guidelines are not followed, reinforcing the importance of accountability in fuel distribution.
