The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, has clarified that the vehicle the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, intercepted with 2,145kg of cannabis concealed in a compartment in Ondo State does not belong to the state-owned firm.
NNPC Ltd also revealed it is engaging with the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, NARTO, to obtain further information and establish the circumstances surrounding the use of the Company’s old branding on the vehicle.
Andy Odeh, NNPCL spokesperson, made this clarification in a statement on Monday.
Recall that the NDLEA had intercepted a fuel tanker, reportedly branded with NNPCL’s logo, with a secret compartment stashed with drugs.
The company said preliminary checks indicated that the vehicle, with registration number MKA 960 XC, is neither owned by NNPC Ltd. nor part of the official fleet or any of its authorised dealers.
“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. NNPC Ltd. is also engaging with the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) to obtain further information and establish the circumstances surrounding the use of the Company’s 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 Company remains committed to protecting the integrity of its brand and ensuring that its name, trademarks and other corporate identifiers are not misused.
“The Company is also reviewing its brand-protection and asset-monitoring protocols and will take appropriate steps, including legal action where warranted, against any unauthorised use of its corporate identity,” NNPCL stated.
