NSCDC apprehends 28 suspects, recover crude oil, rail track plates, other items from vandals in Rivers State

The state commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mukat lawal while addressing newsmen, in Rivers State, stressed that the command is working assiduously to stop vandalism and illegal activities in the state. The state Commandant stated that with the collaborative efforts of the Nigerian Army, they have been able to confiscate several items and stop several illegal activities in various parts of the state.He made known that the command had intercepted and seized 7 trucks conveying adulterated AGO, along with 28 suspects, 61 suspected vandalized rail track plates, 2 cars, a vandalised oil wellhead, 23 feet Hose, 2 saw blades, a measuring tape, a cylinder fan torch and a welding machine used for the act of vandalism.

Full details of the press briefing below
It is quite disheartening to note that despite the laudable efforts of the Federal government to put the rail system of transportation in place and use for economic growth, some miscreants and undesirable individuals choose to make themselves stumbling blocks to the progress of the country by vandalising the Critical National Assets and Infrastructure along our Rail transportation system.

The State Command in conjunction with the NSCDC Railway Command has put in measures to stampout vandalism along the rail tracks in Rivers State.
On 24th December 2020, at about 1100hrs, suspected vandalised Rail track slippers were recovered along Komkom Rail line in Oyigbo LGA, Rivers State.
As a result of the strong synergy between the Nigerian Army and the NSCDC, On 25th January, 2021, a suspect with an Audi car with registration number CU 946 PHC alleged to be involved in oil wellhead theft belonging to Agip Oil Company  (NAOC) Pipeline was arrested at Chokocho community in Etche LGA and handed over to the Command for possible prosecution.
Also, on 30th January, 2021 , 2 suspects were arrested and handed over to the command by the Nigeria Army for further investigation and prosecution. The suspects were arrested in connection to illegal dealings in petroleum products at Emoha Omoku Community, in Onelga LGA of Rivers State. Items recovered from the suspects include 2 saw blades, 1 measuring tape and 1 cylinder fame torch. The arrested suspects have since been charged to court for possible prosecution.
 On 6th February, 2021, at about 1330hrs, the Anti Vandal team of the Command arrested one suspect, for willfully tampering and removing metals used in construction of bridges at Ogba/Egbema Ndoni LGA , Rivers State. Recovered from the suspect include a long lorry truck with registration number NSR 462 ZB, used for conveying the stollen items.
On 18th February, 2021, at about 0840hrs, the Command arrested 4 suspects, alleged for illegal dealings in petroleum products (AGO) at Rumuokoro Axis in Obio/Akpo LGA of the state. The products were contained in a DAF Truck, with Registration number KMC 165 VT.
On 23rd February, 2021, at about 0044hrs, the Anti Vandal patrol team of the command arrested a Truck with registration number NCA 927 XA, containing an unquantifiable liters of suspected Crude Oil along Ebocha, road in Onelga LGA of the state.
On 25th February 2021, at about 0500hrs, the Anti Vandal team of the command arrested 6 suspected oil thieves and a Truck with registration number SML 516 XA  filled with suspected adulterated AGO at Choba, in Obio/Akpo LGA.
On the same day, 25th February, 2021, at about 0245hrs, 10 Suspected Oil thieves were also arrested with suspected Adulterated AGO loaded in a Truck with Registration number LND 504 XT at Ozuboko in Port Harcourt City LGA of the state.
At about 1014hrs, of 25th February, 2021, following a credible Intelligence, 4 Suspects and 2 Trucks with registration numbers ABU 10 XA and KJU 39 XB were arrested conveying 20 suspected vandalised Petroleum Pipes (each truck conveyed 10 pipes)  at Ahoada East LGA along the East-West Road, Port Harcourt.
All the arrested suspects are currently undergoing investigation and would be changed to court for possible prosecution.
Meanwhile, as measures put in place to prevent disasters in large and small scale within the state, the Command is hereby warning and advising the general public against the sales and patronage of adulterated DPK (Kerosene) in the state.
My message to the good people of Rivers State is for them to be law abiding and please endeavor to furnish the command with useful information on any planned activities aimed at causing security breach anywhere in the state for prompt intervention.
Thank you.