The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence
Corps, NSCDC, Abdullahi Muhammadu, has said that about 120 suspected oil
pipeline vandals have so far been prosecuted for
operating over 200
illegal refineries in eight states.
The Commandant General said the refineries, located in Rivers, Delta,
Bayelsa, Edo, Kogi, Ondo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom states, were
destroyed by the special task set up to clampdown on saboteurs as part
of drive to check vandalism, illegal refineries, oil theft and illegal
bunkering.
“This is in line with the Corps’ mandate to protect critical infrastructure and national assets,” Mr. Muhammadu said.
He charged the task force to ensure that they discharged their
responsibilities effectively by tracking down vandals and operators of
illegal refineries in the region to help curb the national menace.
The Commandant also directed the State Commandants to work closely
with the special task force to clamp down on illegal dealers on
petroleum products, vandals, illegal refineries, illegal bunkering,
marketers involved in the diversion of petroleum products.
The special operation, the Commandant explained, also covered filling
stations selling petrol above approved pump price of N87 per litre and
those hoarding products.
Besides, those involved in black marketing, racketeering and related
crimes, he said, would be prosecuted in line with the country’s laws.
As at December 2015, the NSCDC boss said the over 120 suspects
involved in various acts of vandalism and other associated crimes have
been prosecuted and sentenced to various imprisonment terms in their
respective States.
About 250 other suspects, he said, were still undergoing prosecution
in various high courts, whle over 80 trucks carrying petroleum products
were impounded, along with several operational equipment recovered from
the suspected vandals.
Mr. Muhammadu charged the task force and other officials to justify
the confidence reposed in them by government and ensure that vandalism
was reduced to the barest minimum.
Credit: Premium Times
He said the Corps was ready to tackle vandalism and other illicit
crimes in line with its mandate to protect critical infrastructure and
national asset by monitoring and clamping down on perpetrators.
‘‘We are created to fight vandalism, illegal bunkering, illegal
refinery, oil theft, and other allied crimes. We will continue to fight
these illicit acts diligently to rid the nation of these acts
perpetrated by some few greedy and selfish individuals. We will not rest
on until the battle is over,” he said.
He acknowledged the contributions of other securities agencies,
especially the armed forces and Joint Task Force (JTF) in prosecuting
the war against vandalism.
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