Security operatives in the commercial hub of Nigeria, Lagos state have busted a syndicate that specializes in the sale of counterfeit engine oil.
The six accused being linked with the illicit act
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps officials have apprehended four young men in Lagos who are illegally into the production of fake engine oil which poses grave danger to vehicles.
The four suspect who are school leavers have been identified as John Ibem, Lawrence Frank, Agu Ndubuisi and Samuel Chukwuonye were presented before the general public at the Lagos State Command of the NSCDC in Ikeja.
Reports have it that the culprits were nabbed on Thursday at a factory on Marine Bridge Street, Apapa where the adulterated product was in production in a commercial quantity.
The factory owner, identified simply as Emeka, took to his heels and was still at large as of the time of filing this report.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the suspects branded the counterfeit product in the name of a leading lubricant producer in the country in order to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.
Five jerrycans containing the counterfeit product and a bucket of gum used in the factory were said to have been recovered by the security operatives. However, the suspects did not disclose the price at which they sold a jerrycan of the adulterated lubricant.
It was learnt that same quantity of the original engine oil was sold for N5,000.
Ndubuisi, 19, who hails from Ebonyi State, said five drums of the counterfeit oil with 250 litres each were produced daily at the factory. The teenager, who said he was paid N8,000 per week, added that he wanted to use his wages to fund his higher education.
He said, “I am one of the manufacturers at the factory. We produce about five drums per day. The oil is packaged inside four-litre jerrycans. But I don’t know the price for each. It is our boss, Emeka, that markets the product. He does not disclose the price to us. He gives me N8,000 per week. I just finished my secondary school and I intend to continue my education.”
They are currently being interrogated for more vital information after which they will be charged to court for prosecution.