Officials from the Kwara State Command (NSCDC) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps have arrested five bogus NSCDC officers who allegedly extorted money from petrol smugglers.

The NSCDC’s public relations officer in the state, Babawale Afolabi, said in a statement to the children on March 9 that the suspects were visiting petrol stations in the Ilorin metropolitan area, claiming to be protection officers. Civilian in Abuja. .a National level.

Afolabi said investigations have begun to confirm whether the suspects are in union with other members in the state’s 16 local government areas.

“At approximately 2:22 p.m. on March 8, 2022, our ACC Yusuf-led anti-vandalism unit received an intelligence report that some groups of men in civil defense uniforms were walking through gas stations in the area. Metropolitan Ilorin, claiming that the National Police task force members on behalf of Abuja. After meeting the gas station managers, they charge money because the gas sellers think they were NSCDC agents,” he explained.

The spokesman said the suspects identified as Saheed Adedayo, 37, Muritala Oloruntoyin, 40, Emmanuel Ferife, 45, Abiodun Oluseun, 44, and Isaac Aluko, 43, claimed to be members of the Association of importers from Nigeria and extorted money. of unsuspecting gasoline salesmen.
However, their luck changed when they arrived at a gas station in the Amilegbe area of ​​Ilorin, when the anti-vandalism unit office was contacted by the station administration. Subsequently, the unit’s patrol team swung into action and the five suspects were arrested.

“During interrogation, the suspects admitted to carrying out illegal tasks even though they were allegedly members of the Importers Association of Nigeria and visited petrol stations to collect intelligence reports,” he added.

Meanwhile, the state’s NSCDC Commander Makinde Ayinla has urged fuel stations and the public to beware of unscrupulous elements who wish to take advantage of the current fuel shortage for their criminal activities.

Advised people to do their due diligence before dealing with any group or individual claiming to be a security guard