By Francis Ajuonuma
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has disowned a truck intercepted in Ondo State with 2,145 kilogrammes of cannabis concealed in a compartment, despite bearing markings associated with the company.
NNPC Ltd. said preliminary investigations showed that the vehicle, with registration number MKA 960 XC, was neither owned by the company nor part of its official fleet.
The company also said the truck did not belong to any of its authorised dealers.
In a statement on Monday, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd., Andy Odeh, said the company had taken note of media reports linking the vehicle to its corporate identity.
Odeh said preliminary checks had raised questions over the authenticity of the markings displayed on the truck.
“The logo displayed on the vehicle is not consistent with NNPC Ltd.’s current official branding, and the vehicle does not appear in the Company’s asset database,” he said.
The company said it was engaging the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) to obtain further information on the vehicle and determine how its old branding came to be displayed on it.
NNPC Ltd. commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for intercepting the truck and uncovering the concealed cannabis.
The company said it was treating the alleged unauthorised use of its corporate identity seriously, particularly where such use could be linked to criminal activity.
“NNPC Ltd. takes any unauthorised use of its corporate identity seriously, particularly where such use may be associated with unlawful activity,” the statement said.
The company said it would cooperate fully with the NDLEA and other security agencies investigating the incident.
It said the investigation should establish the ownership and operation of the truck and determine the circumstances surrounding the use of NNPC markings on the vehicle.
NNPC Ltd. said it was also reviewing its brand-protection and asset-monitoring protocols to prevent the misuse of its corporate identity.
It warned that appropriate action, including legal measures, could be taken against individuals or organisations found to have unlawfully used its name, trademarks or other corporate identifiers.
The company urged members of the public and relevant authorities to verify the ownership or affiliation of vehicles claiming association with NNPC through official channels.
“We once again commend the NDLEA for its vigilance and sustained efforts in combating illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria,” Odeh said.
NNPC Ltd. said it would continue to support the ongoing investigation and provide necessary cooperation to ensure that the facts surrounding the intercepted truck were conclusively established.
