Rivers NSCDC Nabs 187 Oil Thieves, Convicts 98 In 2020

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Rivers State Command says its operatives arrested 187 suspected oil thieves this year.
The state Commander of NSCDC, Mukhtar Lawal, made this known, yesterday, while rolling out achievements recorded by the command in the year under review at the Command Headquarters in Port Harcourt.
The state NSCDC Commandant explained that the command in a bid to checkmate oil thieves in the state especially crude oil theft/vandalism developed some internal mechanism which include creating local intelligence around pipelines where the products pass to compliment the 24hours patrol around the various locations which yielded positive result as the command arrested no fewer than 187 suspected oil thieves, 195 trucks/vehicles used for vandalism in year 2020.
Lawal said the command also secured 98 convictions, while 195 vehicles were forfeited after they were seized at the scene of activities of vandals.
“The command in the year under review recorded 98 convictions in cases relating to illegal dealings in petroleum products, vandalism of petroleum pipelines,telecommunications facilities, PHCN facilities, among others.
“The command has secured the forfeiture of a tug boat, 10 trucks/vehicles for the Federal Government while 74 cases are currently going on with 48 suspects facing trials in Federal High Court, Port Harcourt.
“On December 15, 2020 a Mack container truck with registration number Lagos XM 918 BDC loaded with about 50 drums of AGO was arrested.
“On December 11, 2020, at about 0240hours two suspected oil thieves in possession of truck registration number XB 840 SAP was arrested within Ahoada West LGA.
“On December 10, 2020 at about 1230hours a short truck with registration number AJA 110 XR Lagos loaded with about 10,000litres of suspected adulterated AGO was apprehended along Iwofe Road in Obio/Akpor LGA.
“On December 6, 2020, at about 0245hours, four suspects with two 40feets suspected vandalized petroleum oil pipes loaded in an open bodied truck and a self loader truck with registration number ABC 767 XB Abuja and BGM 532 XA Rivers were arrested at Eteo community in Eleme LGA.
“On December 4, 2020, at about 10:00hours a green Camry car with registration number NKE 609 EV Eboyin loaded with adulterated DPK (kerosene) was arrested along Iwofe waterfront in Obio/Akpor LGA.
The state commandant said the dogged commitment of the Commandant General of NSCDC, Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu to the welfare of officers and men of the corps contributed to great achievement of the Rivers State Command.
Lawal reiterated the resolve of NSCDC Rivers State command in ensuring maximum protection of national facility and critical asset in the state.
The Rivers NSCDC helmsman maintained that the command has resolved over 22 cases relating to corruption using its Peace and Conflict Resolution (PRC) unit, tackling some 33 anti-fraud cases.
Eight more suspects, five trucks and a car loaded with adulterated DPK were also paraded, last Monday.

By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana