The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) Rivers State Command has presented it's scorecard for 2020.
The command says its operatives arrested 187 suspected oil thieves this year.
State Commander of NSCDC, Mukhtar Lawal, made this known while addressing the media at the Command Headquarters in Port Harcourt.
The State NSCDC Commandant explained that the command in a bid to checkmate oil thieves in the state especially crude oil theft/vandalism developed some internal mechanism which included creating local intelligence around pipelines where the products pass to complement the twenty four hours patrol around the various locations.
He said the strategy yielded positive result as the command arrested no fewer than 187 suspected oil thieves, 195 trucks/vehicles used for vandalism in year 2020.
Lawal said the command also secured 98 convictions, while 195 vehicles were forfeited after they were seized at the scene of activities of vandals.
He said, ”The command in the year under review recorded 98 convictions in cases relating to illegal dealings in petroleum products, vandalism of petroleum pipelines,telecommunications facilities, PHCN facilities among others.
”The Command has secured the forfeiture of a tug boat, 10 trucks/vehicles for the Federal Government while 74 cases are currently going on with 48 suspects facing trials in Federal High Court, Port Harcourt.
”On 15th December, 2020 a mack container truck with registration number Lagos XM 918 BDC loaded with about 50 drums of AGO was arrested.
”On December 11,2020 at about 0240 hours two suspected oil thieves in possession of truck registration number XB 840 SAP was arrested within Ahoada West LGA.
”On December 10,2020 at about 1230 hours a short truck with registration number AJA 110 XR Lagos loaded with about 10,000litres of suspected adulterated AGO was apprehended along Iwofe road in Obio/Akpor LGA.
”On 6th December 2020 at about 0245 hours, four suspects with two 40feets suspected vandalized petroleum oil pipes loaded in an open bodied truck and a self loader truck with registration number ABC 767 XB Abuja and BGM 532 XA Rivers were arrested at Eteo community in Eleme LGA".
Source: City News
