SON Intercepts Cable Counterfeiting Syndicate At Alaba International Market, Lagos

0
Image is for illustration purpose...

In a renewed effort to curb the menace of substandard and fake electrical cables in the country, Standards Organisation of Nigeria’s Surveillance, Intelligence and Monitoring (SIM) Unit has intercepted a syndicate specialising in the counterfeiting of genuine brands of made in Nigeria cables at the Alaba International Market, Lagos following a tip-off.

The raid was done in collaboration with the Cable Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (CAMAN) and the operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (CID).

The swoop on the syndicate’s store at the Alaba market followed successful trailing of a suspicious looking consignment of cables to a location that turned out to be a hideout for the nefarious activities of the syndicate.

Speaking on the raid, the Director-General SON represented by the Coordinator SIM Unit, Mr Suleiman Isa, stated that “the organisation had been on the trail of the perpetrators for a while after eluding arrest twice. However, we were able to nab them red-handed this time, based on a tip-off from our collaborators.”

He opined that two issues of the threat to the safety of life and property as well as economic sabotage by the syndicate will receive the SON’s special attention to bring the culprits to book.

According to him, “their modus -operandi is to import either foreign branded cables or unbranded cables and re-label as certified Nigerian brands to deceive unsuspecting buyers. They then present these substandard cables with SON certification marks on the labels to fake authentication and verification to the Nigerian Consumer”.

Mr. Isa disclosed the names of the four suspects arrested as Kelechi Emanuel, Chidi Eyinna, Victor Uzor and Otugor Kingsley.

Items recovered at the scene were two fabricated contraptions used for coiling cables, labels of various local certified cable brands and 129 rolls of cable wires, according to him.

The Coordinator of SIM Unit said the investigation is still ongoing, stressing that the suspects will be charged to court by the Police on the conclusion.

Isa alluded to SON’s zero tolerance to substandard products programme in all sectors recalling that the organisation has reached out to various stakeholders and sectors for collaboration on the war against substandard products.

He commended the Cable Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (CAMAN) for their commitment and vigilance which has assisted towards sanitising the electric cable sector.

The Head of SIM enjoined other sectoral groups to take a cue from CAMAN towards boosting the efforts to protect the life and property of Nigerians, adding value to consumers and protecting the local industry from criminals and economic vandals.