No fewer than 42 suspects have been arrested by the Delta State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) while eight have been prosecuted and convicted.
The convicts are among the 42 suspected persons arrested for various offences bordering on pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, kidnapping , child molestation and human trafficking, within the last six months.
In a statement, the Command’s spokesperson, Emeka Peters Okwechime, said the arrests are line with the command’s commitment to fight against economic sabotage and other related crimes.
According to Okwechime, “In the area of human trafficking, we have arrested 12 suspects, one of them was arrested for operating baby factory and would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
“The anti vandalism squad gave a hot chase to a gang of kidnappers who disguised as transporters using a bus. They had loaded the bus at Uromi junction, Agbor to Warri, but diverted into Abavo bush. Our men chased them and rescued the kidnapped victims unhurt”.
He also disclosed that a locally made boat was intercepted with a large amount of crude oil hidden beneath the boat, adding that the suspects are being trailed.
“In Udu area, the command burst an illegal dumpsite where AGOs were stored in underground tank. We have confiscated it and condoned off the area but suspects are now on the run,” the spokesperson added.