By Stella Odueme
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has distanced itself from a truck intercepted in Ondo State with 2,145 kilogrammes of cannabis allegedly concealed in a compartment, saying the vehicle does not belong to the company or any of its authorised dealers.
NNPC Ltd. also commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for intercepting the truck and pledged its full support for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the use of its markings on the vehicle.
This was contained in a public statement signed by Andy Odeh, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Limited, on Monday.
The company said preliminary checks showed that the truck, with registration number MKA 960 XC, was neither owned by NNPC Ltd. nor part of its official fleet.
According to the statement, the company became aware of media reports linking the vehicle to NNPC because of markings displayed on it.
However, NNPC said the logo on the truck was not consistent with its current official branding, while the vehicle was also not listed in the company’s asset database.
The company said it was engaging the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) to obtain additional information and establish the circumstances surrounding the use of its old branding on the truck.
“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 reiterated its commitment to protecting the integrity of its brand and preventing the misuse of its name, trademarks and other corporate identifiers.
NNPC Ltd. said it would continue to cooperate with the NDLEA and other relevant security agencies to ensure a full and thorough investigation into the incident.
The investigation, it said, should establish the ownership and operation of the truck, as well as how and why NNPC markings were displayed on the vehicle.
The national oil company also disclosed that it was reviewing its brand-protection and asset-monitoring protocols and would take appropriate measures, including legal action where necessary, against any unauthorised use of its corporate identity.
NNPC Ltd. urged members of the public and relevant authorities to verify the ownership or affiliation of vehicles claiming to belong to the company through appropriate official channels.
The company again commended the NDLEA for its vigilance and sustained efforts in tackling illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.
NNPC Ltd. pledged to provide all necessary cooperation to security agencies to ensure that the facts surrounding the incident were conclusively established.