Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, have impounded a tanker with 45,000 litres of illegally acquired petroleum products.

The NSCDC State Commandant, Mrs Geraldine Abetianbe, who disclosed this at a press briefing on Friday, said three suspects were arrested during the operation, which followed credible intelligence.

She said, ”On June 23, at about 1300hrs, our operatives acting on credible intelligence intercepted a petroleum tanker at Ikot Umo Essien, along Aba Road, in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The tanker, with a capacity of 45,000 litres, was laden with a product suspected to be ethanol acquired illegally.”

According to her, upon interrogation by operatives of the command, the suspects presented a waybill which immediately raised suspicion due to several discrepancies.

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Abetianbe added that further investigation and inquiry conducted to confirm the authenticity of the declared point of loading returned negative.

The commandant warned that illegal dealing in petroleum products in the country was not just a crime, but an act of economic sabotage.

According to her, illegal dealing in petroleum products deprived the government of revenue, endangers lives through adulteration and explosions, and undermines national security.

She reiterated that NSCDC, as the lead agency in the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure, would not relent in carrying out its mandate.

An explosion which occurred inside a large drainage channel located at No.1 Old Nekede Road opposite Lakeside Hotel in Owerri West LGA has killed two persons suspected to be scavengers.

The Imo State Police Command, in a statement released by the apokesperson, Henry Okoye, said it has launched an investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the explosion.

Okoye hinted that operatives of the Command, acting on a report from residents within the area, immediately mobilized to the scene, cordoned off the area, and deployed operatives of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal, EOD, Unit to secure and thoroughly sweep the scene.

He disclosed that preliminary investigation revealed that the two victims who were inside the large drainage channel at the time of the explosion, are said to be scrap metal scavengers who were identified as  Hyginus Akalonu, 32, a native of Umulumu, Ehime Mbano LGA of Imo State, and 22 year old Victor Egwu, from Agba, Ishielu LGA of  Ebonyi State.

The police spokesperson added that the two individuals sustained severe burn injuries and were promptly evacuated to the Federal University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Owerri, where they were confirmed dead while receiving treatment.

The Command’s EOD Unit has commenced a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause and circumstances surrounding the explosion.

Okoye added that updates will be communicated as the investigation progresses.

Reacting to the development, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Garba Bosso, reassured residents that the Command is fully on top of the situation.

The CP urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious objects or activities to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency lines.

The Niger State Police Command has arrested two women over alleged child trafficking and suspected ritual-related activities, rescuing four children between the ages of four and seven in Suleja, Suleja local government area of the state.

Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the suspects were apprehended following a credible intelligence-led operation by operatives of the State Intelligence Department on June 3, 2026.

He identified the suspects as Mrs Promise Chukwudi, 68, of Suleja and Mrs Suzanna Onojekwo, 62, of Church Road, Suleja, where one of the rescued children was found.

According to Abiodun, the suspects claimed the children were handed over to them by their parents from Karim-Lamido in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State between November 2025 and February 2026 for adoption.

He explained that Chukwudi also told investigators that she previously operated Precious Promise Nursery, Primary and Orphanage Home in 2022 before resuming operations in November 2025.

She further claimed to be a licensed herbal medical practitioner who provides traditional treatment for ailments.

However, the police said investigations uncovered contradictions in the suspects’ claims after different parents from Abuja, Nasarawa and Benue states came forward to claim the rescued children.

A search of the suspects’ residence reportedly led to the recovery of a shrine, animal skulls, multi-coloured pieces of clothing, bird feathers and other fetish items.

Abiodun said the suspects were transferred to the Police Headquarters in Minna for further investigation, while the children were handed over to the appropriate child rights agency for care as efforts continue to identify their rightful parents.

The police image maker added that the suspects have been charged to court for prosecution.