The Osun Command of the Nigeria Civil Defense and Security Corps, NSCDC, has arrested a Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) truck driver, Afeez Adegbola, for allegedly diverting 10,000 liters of petrol meant for the company.

The arrest of the suspect, Adebola and his two motorbike boys, was disclosed by the NSCDC Commander in Osun, Igbalawole Sotiyo, during a public parade in Osogbo on Saturday.

According to Sotiyo, the arrest took place on Friday around 20:21 after a tip-off.

The Osun NSCDC boss disclosed that Adegbola loaded 40,000 liters of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS otherwise known as petrol at Pinnacle Distribution Depot in Eleko, Lagos with instructions to deliver the fuel to NNPCL Mega Station in Osogbo.

He, however, said that during surveillance, NSCDC officers tracked the truck, registered as AGG 959 XA, and found that only 30,000 liters were delivered to the destination station while the remaining 10,000 liters were diverted to a station of private supply, TEMPOLA, from Ikirun. Ifelodun Local Government Council Area.

The suspects admitted that the full load of 40,000 liters was meant for the Osogbo NNPCL station but claimed that their company ordered them to offload 10,000 liters at the private station.

Condemning the action, Sotiyo described it as economic sabotage and theft.

He also called on stakeholders in oil distribution to avoid engaging in such practices.

He called on NNPCL managers across the country to collaborate with the NSCDC to prevent similar incidents, adding that those involved in product diversion would be brought to justice.

He said: “It is an act of sabotage and theft against the state. They are saboteurs and anti-state agents.

“NSCDC is using this medium to warn all stakeholders involved in the distribution of petroleum products nationwide that anyone caught sabotaging the government will be apprehended and prosecuted.

“NSCDC is using this medium to call on NNPCL managers/supervisors across the country to collaborate with NSCDC to ensure that the saboteurs are brought to justice,” he said.

Sotiyo also issued a warning to criminal elements in the state.

“I want to inform the good people of Osun state that there is a new sheriff in town.

“It is no longer business as usual. Therefore, all criminal minded people in the state must change their minds or be ready to face the consequences of their actions.”

“At the conclusion of the investigation,” Sotiyo revealed, “the suspects will be charged.”