The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Akwa Ibom State Command says it has arrested 69 oil thieves and pipelines vandals in for the first four months of the year.
Speaking with newsmen in Uyo on Thursday, the State Commandant of NSCDC, Mr Abidemi Majekodunmi, said that the suspect were apprehended through intelligence.
He said the corps had a mandate to protect government critical infrastructure and ensure that economic saboteurs were brought to justice.
According to him, “Here in Akwa Ibom, we do know that the network of pipelines are much and definitely we have criminal and non-state actors tampering with the pipelines for economic profiteering and sabotage.
“When we get quality intelligence, we plan and execute operations to make arrests. We also have, currently, about seven boats. In that particular case, we have 69 suspects, illegal dealers in petroleum products.”
He said that the suspects have been charged to court for appropriate adjudication and prosecution.
Majekodunmi warned against destroying government critical infrastructure, urging communities with critical government infrastructure to ensure they are protected against agents of destruction.
The Commandant added that the NSCDC must continue to promote crisis management and be proactive in dealing with conflict situations in the state through peace and conflict resolution.
