By Abbanobi -Eku Onyekachi, Abuja
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has declared war on oil thieves and vandals, vowing to relentlessly fight against the criminal activities that have been disrupting the country’s economy, according to a statement from the Public Relations Officer NSCDC Headquarters, Abuja, CSC Babawale Afolabi on Saturday.
In a New Year charge, the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, condemned the unrepentant acts of criminal-minded persons who have been living large on the proceeds of oil theft. He emphasized that the NSCDC, as the lead agency in protecting critical national assets and infrastructure, would continue to arrest and prosecute oil thieves according to the laws of the federation.
Recently, the NSCDC’s Special Intelligence Squad, led by Commandant Appolos Dandaura, intercepted two trailer tankers conveying 47,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil each in Akunza Obi Local Government Area, Nassarawa State. Preliminary investigations revealed that the contents were loaded with counterfeit waybills and fictitious number plates.
The suspects, Nafiu Aminu, Sanni Mohammed, Abdullahi Awolu, and Babpa Awal, are currently cooperating with the investigation. The NSCDC recovered a white-coloured head and body 22 tyres MARK Model Truck, a white colour 18 tyres DAF XF model Truck, and suspected counterfeit waybills.
Dr. Audi urged the public to continue partnering with the NSCDC by providing credible information that would lead to the arrest of oil thieves. He assured that upon completion of the investigation, the suspects would be charged to court to serve as a deterrent to others.
