The Akwa Ibom state Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, on Sunday said that it had arrested 70 suspected vandals and convicted seven of them between June and November.
The state Commandant of the Corps, Mr Emmanuel Ojeniyi, disclosed that the seven persons were convicted for pipeline vandalism and adulteration of petroleum products.
In a brief interview with newsmen in Uyo, Ojeniyi said that though about 36 cases are still pending in court, the command hopes it would secure more convictions.
He said, “I want to say that within this short period, we have made 70 arrests and secured seven convictions and we still have 36 cases pending in court. During the period, the command impounded some trucks that were abandoned by the pipeline vandals when its personnel confronted them.
“We have also investigated 19 cases and will soon charge the suspects to court while 17 cases have been abandoned for lack of witnesses.”
Ojeniyi added that the command would continue to collaborate with other security agencies to fight vandals in the state.
He, however, expressed optimism that with such cooperation, oil theft, petroleum product adulteration and vandalism of electricity installations would effectively be curtailed in the state, noting that the activities of the hoodlums had hindered the country’s economic growth and required the collective efforts of all citizens to eradicate the menace.
While urging Akwa Ibom residents to regard security agents as their friends and volunteer useful information on the activities of criminals to the command for prompt action, the Commandant said NSCDC was firmly committed to enforcing government policies and programmes in accordance with the law to deal with the problem.
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