Cross River NSCDC arrests 126 vandals, illegal miners in 2024

The Cross River State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Charles Brown, says the command arrested 126 suspected vandals and illegal miners in the state last year.

The state Commandant disclosed this in an interview at his office in Calabar, giving insight into the command’s activities in 2024.

According to him, three of the suspects were arrested for vandalising facilities at Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort, Calabar, while others were nabbed for vandalising electric cables and other sundry crimes, as well as 22 illegal miners in Agoi Ekpo in Yakurr Local Government Area.

He said the feat is part of the command’s unwavering efforts to combat criminal activities and protect public and private infrastructure within Cross River State.

He also stated that 18 of the suspects are serving jail terms while several other cases are still in court.

On the upsurge of illegal miners in the state, he said the command is collaborating with sister agencies to address the menace.

“On illegal mining, we are working closely with sister agencies to tackle this challenge holistically.

“Recently, they came into the state with a lot of people, and we sent a message to the State Security Adviser, and in partnership with other agencies, we were able to round them up and send them back,” he said.

He said the miners have posed a major threat to the locals as they cannot access their farms and assured that no effort will be spared in addressing the challenge.

The Commandant said these successes underscore the importance of sustained security in creating a crime-free and secure environment for all Cross River residents.

“The Cross River State Command of the NSCDC remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents. We urge the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activities to any of our formations across the state or any security organisation nearest to you for prompt action,” he said.

Brown enumerated some of the challenges faced by his command including logistics such as operational vehicles and the unconducive work environment occasioned by the windstorm disaster of November 9, 2024, which hit the command headquarters, damaging the office building and office equipment worth millions of naira.

He, however, thanked the state governor, Senator Bassey Otu, for undertaking the renovation of the command’s headquarters.