NSCDC Arrests 18 Suspected Vandals In A’Ibom

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 18 suspected vandals in Akwa Ibom.

The state’s Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr Pedro Ideba, made the disclosure in Uyo on Monday while briefing newsmen on the activities of the agency.

Ideba said the suspects were arrested in the last two weeks for vandalising various public utilities in different parts of the state.

He said that some of the people were caught while vandalising Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCH) cables while some were involved in vandalising Nigeria Telecommunications (NITEL) cables.

Accordingly to the commandant, some of the arrested people were involved in illegal bunkering of petroleum products.

Ideba said that all the suspects had made confessional statements on their offences.

“Last week, we caught three tankers in Uyo, near Julius Berger yard while those involved in bunkering in Ibesikpo were arrested at Uruan Village, all the suspects had been arraigned.

He said the suspects attacked his men at Mbak Etoi in Uyo but his men were able to over-power the suspects.

The commandant said that illegal bunkering was on the increase in the state despite the Federal Government efforts to reduce it.

He assured that the command was battle-ready to ensure that Akwa Ibom was not safe for bunkering.

Ideba warned perpetrators of the illegal activities to desist from being economic saboteurs to the nation as the long arm of the law would soon catch up with them.