By Hassan Zaggi
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) has paraded two suspects in Delta State over impersonation with the intention to extort money from innocent Nigerians.
While parading the suspects, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of NSCDC Delta State Command, DSC Emeka Peters Okwechime, said that the suspects were arrested in possession of dangerous weapons at the point of extorting unsuspecting Nigerians of their heard-earned money.
Dsc Peters said that the two suspects include Mr Lucky Emofuoreta, 22 years and Mr Goodness Osorochukwu Francis, 25 years.
He explained that the two suspects were “caught red handed fully kitted on uniform similar to that of the NSCDC regalia, at about 2300hrs(mid night).
“They were apprehended at an illegal checkpoint along Jedo road in Okpe LGA of Delta State in the process of extorting money from the unsuspecting road users particularly truck and tankers drivers. An act which falls under the core mandate of the NSCDC.”
Items recovered from the suspects, according to the PRO, include one Honda Odyssey bus with registration number KPR 113 SX, gold colour and one handcuff, a pair of jungle both, two jack knife amongst other unlawful items.
He, however, debunked claims in a section of the public that NSCDC are operating multiple checkpoints on the road.
DSC Peters disclosed that following the claims, the State Commandant, Akinsanya Iskilu Abiodun, ordered the Head Of Department (HOD) Intelligence and Investigation to deploy plain cloth officers on routine patrol and surveillance across the state to fish out the identities of those involved.
This, he noted, led to the arrest of the two suspects following an intelligence tip off from men of the NSCDC.
DSC Emeka Peters, therefore, explained that the multiple checkpoints on the roads are not manned by NSCDC officials.
“The NSCDC operates within the law with total observance of the fundamental human rights of the citizenry and it’s officers conduct themselves in the best international practice and standards.
“The NSCDC, only mount and maintain strategic check points statutorily with NSCDC branded operational vehicles as part of the continuous efforts at mitigating or checkmating the menace of product diversion, adulterated products, crude oil theft and vandalism of national asset or installations in the state,” he said.
DSC Emeka Peters, however, assured the public of the continuous efforts by the command geared towards the protection of life and property and to assist in maintaining peace and order in the state, pointing the ongoing Surveillance patrol exercise by personnel of the corps across the state would be sustained.
