Police Bust Illegal Lubricant Factory In Rivers

The Rivers State Police Command has paraded four suspects who allegedly manufacture fake automotive lubricants and sell same to the public in the state and its environs.
The state Police Public Relations Officer,SP Nnamdi Omoni, while conducting journalists round the illegal lubricant depot at Diobu axis in Port Harcourt metropolis, said that men of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department(SCIID) stormed the alleged illegal manufacturing site based on a tip off.
He stated that the call by the police to members of the public to provide credible information was responsible for the arrest of operators of the illegal oil bunkering site.
Omoni warned operators of illegal oil bunkering sites in the state to repent or face the full wrath of the law, adding that the police would sustain the raids to bring to an end the menace of Illegal bunkering activities.
One of the suspects who spoke to journalists at the illegal manufacturing site, Onyema Ugochukwu, denied being involved in any illegal oil bunkering activity but added that he was blending condemned oil which they turn to lubricant for use in generators.
He added that at the end of the blending, they get products like grease, and engine oil which they retail to unsuspecting customers.
The 35-year old Ugochukwu, who is the manager of the company and a native of Imo State, said they buy lubricants in very large quantity, and sell to retailers.
He, however, denied involvement in illegal refining of crude oil into petroleum products, adding that the company was legally registered, and explained the process of making the lubricants.
Other suspects arrested include Okiri Godbless; Ogbonna Emmanuel; and Okubo-Ebi Ugochukwu.
Over 12 GeePeee tanks of products where seen at the site as well as one 12.5kg gas cylinder, one gallon of sulphuric acid and half bag of bleaching earth chemical.

By: Akujobi Amadi