Tina Amanda
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Rivers State Command has vowed to stamp out vandalism along the rail tracks and oil installations in the state.
The State Commandant Muktar Lawal stated this while parading twenty-eight suspects arrested for vandalism and in connection to illegal dealings in Petroleum products containing a full truckload of crude oil, AGO popular called Diesel.
The Command secured 7 Trucks, 61 Suspected Vandalized Rail Track Plates, 2 Cars, A Vandalized Oil Wellhead, 23 Feet Hose, 2 Saw Blades, A Measuring Tape, A Cylinder Fane Torch and A Welding Machine used for acts of Vandalism.
Commandant Lawal buttressed that the arrest of the suspects was a result of strong synergy between the Nigerian Army and the NSCDC, noting the arrested suspects are currently undergoing investigation and would be charged to court for possible prosecution.
“It is quite disheartening to note that despite the laudable efforts of the Federal government to put the rail system of transportation in place and use for economic growth, some miscreants and undesirable individuals choose to make themselves stumbling blocks to the progress of the country by vandalising the Critical National Assets and Infrastructure along our Rail transportation system.
“On 24th December 2020, at about 1100hrs, suspected vandalised Rail track slippers were recovered along Komkom Rail line in Oyigbo LGA, Rivers State.
“As a result of the strong synergy between the Nigerian Army and the NSCDC, On 25th January 2021, a suspect with an Audi car with registration number CU 946 PHC alleged to be involved in oil wellhead theft belonging to Agip Oil Company (NAOC) Pipeline was arrested at Chokocho community in Etche LGA and handed over to the Command for possible prosecution.
“Also, On 30th January 2021, two suspects were arrested and handed over to the command by the Nigeria Army for further investigation and prosecution. The suspects were arrested in connection to illegal dealings in petroleum products at Emoha Omoku Community, in Onelga LGA of Rivers State. Items recovered from the suspects include 2 saw blades, 1 measuring tape and 1 cylinder fame torch. The arrested suspects have since been charged to court for possible prosecution.
“On 6th February 2021 at about 13:30hrs, the Anti Vandal team of the Command arrested one suspect for willfully tampering and removing metals used in the construction of bridges at Ogba/Egbema Ndoni LGA, Rivers State. Recovered from the suspect include a long lorry truck with registration number NSR 462 ZB, used for conveying the stolen items.
“On 18th February 2021, at about 08:40hrs, the Command arrested four suspects alleged for illegal dealings in petroleum products (AGO) at Rumuokoro Axis in Obio/Akpo LGA of the state. The products were contained in a DAF Truck* with Registration number KMC 165 VT.
“On 23rd February 2021, at about 00:44hrs, the Anti Vandal patrol team of the command arrested a Truck with registration number NCA 927 XA, containing unquantifiable litres of suspected Crude Oil along Ebocha, the road in Onelga LGA of the state.
“On 25th February 2021, at about 05:00hrs, the Anti Vandal team of the command arrested six suspected oil thieves and a Truck with registration number SML 516 XA filled with suspected adulterated AGO at Choba, in Obio/Akpo LGA.
“On the same day, 25th February 2021, at about 02:45hrs, ten Suspected Oil thieves were also arrested with suspected Adulterated AGO loaded in a Truck with Registration number LND 504 XT at Ozuboko in Port Harcourt City LGA of the state.
“At about 10:14hrs, of 25th February 2021, following a credible Intelligence, four Suspects and two Trucks with registration numbers ABU 10 XA and KJU 39 XB were arrested conveying twenty (20) suspected vandalised Petroleum Pipes (each truck conveyed 10 pipes) at Ahoada East LGA along the East-West Road, Port Harcourt.
“All the arrested suspects are currently undergoing investigation and would be changed to court for possible prosecution.”
He however said that the Command has secured one hundred and one court convictions of suspects, gotten a Court order for forfeiture of one thousand and sixty trucks and vehicles forfeited to the federal government.
The Commandant further warned the general public to desist from sales and patronage of adulterated Petroleum products such as DPK to avert fire disaster.
“Meanwhile, as measures put in place to prevent disasters in large and small scale within the state, the Command is hereby warning and advising the general public against the sales and patronage of adulterated DPK (Kerosene) in the state.”
He also advised Rivers people to be law-abiding and endeavour to furnish the command with useful information on any planned activities aimed at causing security breach anywhere in the state for prompt intervention.
