SON Bursts Cable Cloning Syndicate in Lagos

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has apprehended a syndicatey specialisedp in cloning of certified made in Nigeriag cables in Lagos. A statement from the office of the Director General, Mr. Osita Aboloma, said that the syndicate was located at 5, Collins Street Opposite Akapo Street in Ojo Areagof Alaba Lagos. According to the statement, the successful operation was carried out by a combined team of the Special Protection Unit of the Nigeria Police attached to SON, operativesp of the Force Criminal Investigationg Departmentp in Lagos and officials of SON Inspectoratep and Compliance Directorate. The syndicate specialises in importing unregistered and substandard cable brands like Verginity, New Age and Sunrise which are then rerolled, rebranded and repackaged as certified made in Nigeria cable brands for sale to unsuspecting consumers, it said. It added that about 2,647 bagsg of cables waiting to be cloned, 22 bags,g five cartons and 270coils of already cloned cables and two re-rolling and gqpp premises. rebranding equipment were evacuated from the Two culprits caught in the process of cloning the certified made in Nigeria cables were arrested at the scene and are helping the Police with investigations. implications of the yThe syndicates’ activities, according g to the statement, would include inadvertent purchasep and use of substandard cables by unsuspecting consumers; de-marketing of certified made in Nigeria cables as a result; loss in sales and revenue by yg genuine local manufacturers of cables; reduction in capacity py utilization and attendant job losses The SON DG urgedg Nigeriansg to continue to provide useful information to assist regulatory agencies serve them better in the overall interest Nationpand of the its people. “The suspects will be p prosecuted in line with the provisions of the SON Act 14 of 2015 on conclusion of investigation” the statement added.