Victoria Silvanus
A team of the Surveillance, Investigation and Monitoring (SIM), Unit of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has uncovered a lubricant adulterating syndicate at a residential property situated at number 25 Isoko Street, Sunny Bus-stop, Ojo in the Alaba International Market area of Lagos State.
The Sting operation swooped on the location and arrested the primary suspect Mr Chizoba Emmanuel who was found on the premises with various drums of base oil and empty drums used in mixing and repackaging the substandard lubricants,
Speaking to newsmen at the location, the Director General SON Mallam Farouk Salim who was represented by the Coordinator SIM Unit, Mr Suleiman Isa described the discovery as shocking, stating that "it is indeed a wake-up call for Nigerians and particularly the organisation that there is still work to be done".
According to him, despite son's several arrests in the past, deviant Nigerians persist in the act of adulterating engine oil and selling to unsuspecting Nigerians thereby destroying machinery and engines.
"SON will not relent in the ongoing fight against unscrupulous elements who persist in defrauding unsuspecting Nigerians through their dubious acts,” he said.
The SON boss thereafter advised importers and local manufacturers to always do the right thing by upholding standards in all their undertakings, stating it will ensure a vibrant economy through the strengthening of businesses as they adhere to international best practices.
The DG, SON further assured that the Organisation will continue to intensify efforts to apprehend criminals perpetrating such acts through discreet information gathering and arrests as this will go a long way in ensuring that the country is rid of substandard products.
Salim, therefore, called on Nigerians to come up with useful information in supporting the battle against substandard products by reporting any unwholesome practice in the manufacturing of products to SON.
The SIM team carried out the operation alongside men of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Nigerian Police Force who apprehended the suspects caught in possession of used lubricant plastics, several cartons of two popular brands of engine oil and a repackaging machine.
The culprits are currently under arrest until further investigations are concluded.
