By Obas Esiedesa, Abuja
ABUJA — The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has disowned a truck bearing markings associated with the company after it was intercepted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) with 2,145 kilogrammes of cannabis concealed in a compartment in Ondo State.
NNPCL, in a statement by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, on Monday, said preliminary checks showed that the vehicle, with registration number MKA 960 XC, was neither owned by the company nor part of its official fleet or that of any of its authorised dealers.
The company said it had taken note of media reports on the interception and commended the NDLEA for its vigilance and professionalism in uncovering the illicit consignment.
According to NNPCL, the logo displayed on the vehicle was inconsistent with its current official branding, while the truck was not listed in the company’s asset database.
The national oil company said it was engaging the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) to obtain further information and establish the circumstances surrounding the use of its old branding on the vehicle.
“NNPC Ltd. takes any unauthorised use of its corporate identity seriously, particularly where such use may be associated with unlawful activity,” the statement said.
It added that the company remained committed to protecting the integrity of its brand and ensuring that its name, trademarks and other corporate identifiers were not misused.
NNPCL said it would cooperate fully with the NDLEA and other relevant security agencies in investigating the incident.
It explained that the investigation would seek to establish the ownership and operation of the vehicle and determine how NNPC markings came to be displayed on it.
The company further disclosed that it was reviewing its brand-protection and asset-monitoring protocols and would take appropriate measures, including legal action where warranted, against any unauthorised use of its corporate identity.
NNPCL urged members of the public and relevant authorities to verify the ownership or affiliation of vehicles purporting to belong to the company through appropriate official channels.
The company reiterated its support for the NDLEA’s efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking, saying it would provide all necessary cooperation to ensure that the facts surrounding the incident were conclusively established.
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