No fewer than eight suspected vandals have been arrested by personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Akwa Ibom.
According to the NSCDC Commandant in Akwa Ibom, Mr Eluyemi Eluwade, while informing journalists of the development on Thursday at the command’s headquarters in Uyo, the officials also impounded a navy blue Toyota Camry with 20 jerrycans of 25 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in the state.
Eluwade disclosed that the personnel nabbed the eight suspects for criminal conspiracy, vandalism of critical infrastructure and stealing of public property in the state.
The commander said, “Since my last engagement with the press sometimes last month on our feats in combating criminal activities in relation to our mandate, other feats have been recorded, as we intensify efforts to fight vandalism and illegality in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.
“On August 2, NSCDC Anti-Vandals Squad arrested two suspects, impounded a navy blue Toyota Camry with Reg.No. SQ 694 KJA with 20 jerrycans of 25 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), hose, funnel and three 20 litres buckets.
“On August 18, two suspects were arrested for criminal conspiracy, vandalism of critical infrastructure and stealing of public property at Mount Camel Hospital in Akpa Utung village in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA.
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“On August 24, a 39-year-old suspect from Obot Akara LGA was arrested for suspected trafficking of a young lady, whose whereabouts have been traced to Anambra.”
Additionally, Eluwade stressed that three other suspects were arrested during the period within Ibesikpo Asutan LGA for vandalism and stealing of PHEDC installations, copper cables and thunder arrestors.
He said that all the suspects have confessed to the crime and volunteered useful information to the Corps for further investigation.
Eluwade said that the activity of vandals and criminals could lead to bleeding of the Nigerian economy, adding that a nation striving towards development could not afford to allow these kinds of things to happen.
The commandant warned criminals, especially vandals of government infrastructure to turn a new leaf or face the full wrath of the law.
He called on Akwa Ibom residents to support the command with credible information, that could actually help the Agency execute its mandate and perform their constitutional duties and responsibilities.
The commandant assured residents that the suspects would be arraigned in Court as soon as investigation is completed to ensure justice and safe as a deterrent to others.