NSCDC destroys 200 illegal refineries, prosecutes 120 suspects – Commandant
The Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Abdullahi Gna Muhammadu said that the Corps as at December 2015, have identified and destroyed over 200 illegal Refineries in Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, Edo, Kogi, Ondo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom States among others and over 120 suspects involved in the act of vandalism and other associated crimes have been prosecuted and sentenced to various prisons terms by the High Courts in their respective States.
According to a statement by ACC Emmanuel Oke, the Corps Public Relations Officer, Gana reiterated that, about 250 suspects are undergoing prosecution in various State High Courts with over 80 trucks containing petroleum products impounded with several operational equipments belonging to suspected vandals recovered.
He asserted that “in a drive to stem the tide of vandalism, illegal refineries, oil theft, and illegal bunkering, the Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCD) Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu has set up a Special Task to clampdown on saboteurs. This is in line with the Corps mandate in the protection of critical infrastructure and National Assets.
“The Corps helms man while charging the Special Task Force on their responsibilities in tracking down vandals and operatives of illegal refineries, also directed the State Commandants to cooperate and work in synergy with the Commandant General’s Special Task Force assigned to their states for the special operation in clamping down on illegal dealers on petroleum products, vandals, illegal refineries, illegal bunkering, Marketers involved in diversion of petroleum products.
“The operation also extends to filling stations selling above approved Government pump price, hoarding of products, those involved in black marketing and racketeering as well as other related crimes for prosecution in line with the Law of the federation.
“Abdullahi therefore charged the Task Force and other operational officers to live up to expectation by justifying the confidence the Government and the people have for the Corps by ensuring that vandalism is reduced to the barest minimum by deploying all necessary mechanisms to check mate the illicit act.
“In the same vein, the Corps Chief Executive assured the Government of the Corps readiness to tackle vandalism and other illicit crimes in line with the Corps mandate in the protection of critical infrastructure and national asset in all ramifications by deploying all necessary arsenal to monitor and to clamp down on decedents.
According to Abdullahi, ‘‘We are an agency of Government created to tackle this onerous task of fighting the scourge of vandalism, illegal bunkering, illegal refinery, oil theft, and other allied crimes, therefore we will continue to fight these illicit acts diligently in ensuring that, the nation is rid of these obnoxious activity perpetrated by some few individuals that have posed as an enemy of the state as a result of greed and selfishness. We will not rest on our oars until the battle is over ’’.
He therefore seized the opportunity to appreciate all other securities agencies and the stakeholders especially the Armed Forces, JTF for their alloyed support and assistance in assisting the Corps in prosecuting the War against Vandalism.
However, the Commandant General is using the medium to warmly thank the Chief of Naval Staff for the support, synergy and good working relationship in acknowledging the mandate of the Corps as the lead agency in the protection of critical Infrastructure and National Assets by arresting and handing over of suspects and vessels to the Corps for prosecution.
Abdullahi warned those still in the business of vandalism to desist or relocate from the Nation as the Corps will deal decisively with anyone caught whose act is inimical to the State.
