by Azeez Adeniyi

Operatives of the Lagos State Taskforce on Environment, at the weekend arrested 43 suspected oil bunkers.

The personnel also sealed-off property containing 2.5 million litres worth of adulterated diesel at Alausa, Ikeja area of the state.

One of the suspects, Iyiola Adeyinka said the company where the recovery was made, Jlobjin Petroleum Ltd, belonged to one Alhaji Lukumon Ojena.

He revealed that they mix diesel with kerosene and supply to big companies and banks at cheaper rates.

Adeyinka added that they make sales of over N20m daily.

Nonso Mordi, another suspect said, “Our business is very lucrative as individuals get between N3,000 to N4,000 per day.

“We have a very good contact with major oil marketers who supply us with diesel and kerosene everyday for our business,” he stated.

Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, SP Olayinka Egbeyemi said the operation was after petitions submitted to his office over illegal activities of some oil bunkers at Plot 8, Elephant Cement Way, Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.

He said, “Preliminary investigation with available documents (receipts) revealed that the illegal business has been on for over seven years.

“Adulterated diesel, worth 2.5 million litres were fully loaded inside gallons and six different trucks with registration numbers; FST 615 XR, EPE 672 XC, DKW 05 XA, KTU 750 XN, BDG 717 XA, FKJ 327 XH and XR 95 LSD”.

Azeez