No fewer than 12 persons have been arrested and paraded by personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Rivers State Command over alleged pipeline vandalism and illegal oil refining activities in parts of the state.
The State Commandant of NSCDC, Basil Igwebueze, made this known while parading the suspects at the Command Headquarters.
Furthermore, the Commandant revealed that five vehicles including a commercial bus with 36,950 litres of AGO and 51,200 litres of crude oil were impounded.
Declaring war on criminal elements in the state, Igwebueze said the achievement is an affirmation that it is no more business as usual.
“Any person involved in anything that threatens the economic reality of the country will be made to face the law,” the Commandant warned.
Additionally, Igwebueze warned operatives of the command not to aid or abet oil thefts, adding that any personnel caught would be dealt with.
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The Commandant expressed the readiness of the Command to collaborate with other sister agencies in combating crime and criminality in the state.
“Twelve suspects have been arrested from different locations across the state and are hereby paraded for their involvement in pipeline vandalism, illegal dealing in petroleum products and allied matters.
“The Command’s anti-vandal unit has impounded so far, five vehicles, a bus with 36,950 litres of AGO and 51,200 litres of crude oil.
The state Commandant of the NSCDC, also revealed that he has been directed to ensure that private guard companies must be registered or risk being shut down.
“The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp, Ahmed Audi, has informed me and has directed me to prosecute the mandate of the Corp.
“It is in furtherance of his commitment that he has directed me to ensure that all private guard companies are registered in Rivers State.
“Which implies that any unregistered private guard company in Rivers State stand to be closed.”