NSCDC arrests 102 suspected oil thieves in Edo

 

THE Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on Tuesday said it had arrested 102 suspected oil thieves and pipeline vandals at several flashpoints across the state.

The Edo State Commandant, Idris Haruna, who said this during the decoration ceremony of some promoted officers of the corps in Benin, explained that the command had secured five convictions between the April, 2014 and January, 2015, while 70 other suspects were in court.

He listed the flashpoints to include Abudu in the Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Etsako West and Ovia North East local government areas, where he said the command destroyed illegal refineries.

Haruna said, “We have also made seizures, including two trucks containing about 50 drums of AGO suspected to be adulterated. We have two buses containing about 149 30-litre jerrycans of the same product.

“Four days ago, we intercepted a Sienna bus containing about 53 jerrycans of the same adulterated product. We also arrested some suspects with pumping machines at their various illegal refineries that have been destroyed and burnt down.”

He said the NSCDC would continue to block all leakages in the oil sector.

“The command has warned these vandals to stay off the practice because we have activated our anti-vandal department that will always clamp down on them at any time.

“Our activities are intelligence-driven and we will not leave any stone unturned to make sure that we get rid of them.

“It has everything to do with blocking leakages in the economy generally because overtime, it has eaten deep into the economy of the country,” he added.

He explained that the promotion was to encourage worthy officers of the command who had distinguished themselves in the mandate of protecting major government infrastructure.

The commandant urged the officers to continue to demonstrate commitment towards the fight against illegal oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism and the operation of illegal refineries.

Earlier, the spokesperson for the command, Nosa Ogbebor, said a total of 51 officers were promoted to different ranks, including Deputy Commandant and Assistant Commandant of Corps.