The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Thursday, handed over two trucks containing 90,000 litres of impounded ethanol, and six suspects to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Mrs Geraldine Abetianbe, the NSCDC Commandant in Akwa Ibom, said that the trucks were impounded on June 23 and 27 along Ikot Umo Essien in Essien Udim.
Abetianbe said that the hand over was to enable NAFDAC to conduct further investigation on the matter.
She said that in two operations, operatives of the command intercepted and impounded two trucks suspected to be conveying adulterated ethanol from illegal sources.
“We have concluded preliminary investigation on the matter and established that the content in the trucks is ethanol, a consumable biofuel.
“Since the seized product falls under the purview of NAFDAC, it became pertinent to hand it over to the agency.
“It is important for NAFDAC to verify and ascertain the identity, quality, composition, and compliance with relevant standards,” she said.
She said that the hand over was for further investigation and necessary regulatory actions in accordance with the provisions of the NAFDAC Act.
Mr John Naeche, the NAFDAC Coordinator in Akwa Ibom, thanked NSCDC for its thoroughness and professionalism in undertaking its duties.
Naeche said that NAFDAC would continue to collaborate with other relevant agencies to safeguard the life of Nigerians.
He said that the product would undergo laboratory analysis to determine if the ethanol had been contaminated.
“This is what collaboration is all about. We collaborate to ensure that our citizens get the best services.
“At the end of our investigation, we shall make the results of the result available to NSCDC,” he said (NAN)
