KOGI State Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) arrested 130 suspects for vandalism and theft across the state last year.

The state Commandant, Ochogwu Michael said this during the 2016 press briefing in Lokoja yesterday.
And in Kwara State, the state commandant of the NSCDC, Augustine Obiekwe, said a total number of 45 suspected oil pipeline vandals were arrested by the corps.

Ochogwu Michael said the press briefing was aimed at reviewing the 2015 operations of the command,
According to the Kogi NSCDC Chief, the command under his leadership intensified efforts towards adequate protection of critical national assets and infrastructures situated within the state.

He added that out of the 130 suspects apprehended for vandalism and theft, 19 were charged to court, 4 cases concluded and 15 still pending in court.

Michael revealed that exhibits recovered from the suspects included illegal products, vehicles, pumping machine, communication cables and drums of crude oil, stressing that the frequency of transformers vandalism that characterised the first quarter of 2015 in the state had reduced tremendously to the barest minimum.

Speaking with reporters in Ilorin, The Kwara NSCDC boss said that not less than five of the suspects were sentenced to three years jail term each, adding that 40 others were being prosecuted at various courts of competent jurisdiction in the state.

Obiekwe said the achievements were recorded through pro-active action of his men in intercepting vandals while in the act and through stop and search measures that were aimed at discouraging oil products diversion.
He added that some of the suspected vandals were caught by his men and officers through routine surveillance and monitoring of the NNPC’s right of way.

Obiekwe, who said that various tools and equipment such as vehicles, digging instruments, pumping machines, welding machines, drums and jerry cans filled with Premium Motor Spirits (PMS), handsets, among others were recovered from the vandals from different parts of the state including Oke Oyi in Ilorin East LGA and Afon-Kankan-Osin-Ladula axis of Asa LGA in the out gone year.

The NSCDC boss, who said the corps had resolved not to allow vandals to thrive within the shores of the country, called for cooperation and collaboration of other security agencies.

He appealed for support and assistance of communities where petroleum pipelines traversed, saying they should be vigilant and report suspected movements to the corps for appropriate and immediate actions.
Obiekwe, who said that host communities are exposed to a high risk when vandalism takes place, noted that vandals are economic saboteurs.