ENUGU State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence (NSCDC) has vowed to put a permanent stop to oil pipeline vandalism in the state this year.

The state Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr. Stephen Z. Lar, who spoke while reviewing the activities of the command in year 2015, said that 210 suspects were arrested over vandalism of oil pipelines and other related activities.

He said out of the number, 23 cases were currently in court while 19 cases were still under investigation.
“If their level of involvement is ascertained, they will be made to face the full wrath of the law,” he said, adding that 54 illegal miners and 25 human traffickers were also apprehended within the year in review.

He expressed regret that soon after the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) resumed pumping of oil to the depot at Emene in Enugu, the vandals quickly regrouped and resumed their illegal operations, too, specifically in the Aninri Local Council of the state, noting that the Nenwe area of the council was more prone to pipeline vandalism because “the oil pipes passed through that place and there is teeming population of youths there.”

He said: “They have teeming population of youths in the area who find it a hubby to engage in the act. It is prevalent in that place because the NNPC oil pipeline passes through that area.”

Lar, who stated that another serious challenge facing the Command in the execution of its duties was the rough terrain in which the oil pipes are located, said: “Sometimes, these oil pipes pass through a very difficult terrain that even with the vehicles, we may not be able to get to the place. There are areas that are swampy in which case vehicles may not be able to move though. And even the personnel, for them to find their way into such places is very, very difficult.”

He praised the Enugu State government for its assistance in area of logistics, saying: “I must laud the Enugu State government. The government has given us two brand new Hilux pick-up vans and that has really helped us.”