FCT : NSCDC Arrests 6 Pipeline Vandals

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps , NSCDC, FCT Command has paraded six suspected vandals for petroleum pipeline vandalism and theft of premium motor spirit.

NSCDC FCT Commandant, Dr Olusola Odumosu during the parade in Pagada 1, Dobi in Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT said that the command’s Anti-Vandal Squad acted on credible intelligence and tip off concerning suspicious activities around the pipelines.

According to him, exhibits recovered were two motorcycles, two locally fabricated firearms, four 25-litre jerrycans filled with Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS), two empty jerrycans, shovel, and hand drilling machines.

He added that six of the suspects were initially arrested while scooping and loading PMS into Jerrycans and plastic bags from pipelines punctured with drilling machines.

The FCT Commandant said that preliminary investigation and interrogations disclosed that the suspects had studied the geography of the land and knew the exact spots where buried pipelines with fuel residue were.

According to him, an indigene of Pagada 1 Village where the crime occurred, allegedly invited two of his friends from Lambata area to participate in the crime.

He also revealed that three vigilante members who were involved allegedly aided the criminal activity by providing support and security cover for the vandals to operate freely.

The FCT NSCDC Boss, reaffirmed that efforts were ongoing to identify, trace and apprehend other members of the syndicate who may be involved in the act.

The Commandant who said that the Nigeria Petroleum Storage Company had been informed of the vandalised pipes for further actions and sealing of the pipes reiterated that the corps will not condone any form of economic sabotage .

“We condemn in strong terms any form of vandalism in the FCT; be it manhole covers, crash barriers, bridge aluminium, streetlights, armoured cables, transformers, railway sleepers and so on“It is a deliberate and intentional act of economic sabotage intended to undermine, damage and cripple our nation’s economy.”

“The activities of these vandals do not only contribute to products scarcity and environmental degradation but also put the lives of residents and other agricultural activities within the area at risk of fire explosions,” he said.

The commandant, called on residents to provide credible information to the Corps as he assured that appropriate actions will be taken and urged community leaders to sensitise villagers on the need to see security operatives as their friends and provide timely credible information.

The Chairman, Gwagwalada Area Council, Alhaji Kasim Mohammed Ikwa commended NSCDC for the prompt action and pledged the Council’s unalloyed support to ensure that crime is nibbed in the bud.

The Councillor representing Dobi Ward, Gado Shuaibu thanked the Corps and members of the community for their efforts towards ensuring that the vandals were apprehended.

The Village Chief, Abubakar Ibrahim, also assured collaboration between the community and security agencies.

Nkiruka Njemanze, Edited By Grace Namiji