NSCDC foils pipeline vandalism along Ore-Sagamu road

THE Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has reiterated its commitment to curb vandalism and oil theft, when it paraded three persons suspected to be oil pipeline vandals in the state.

    Acting Commandant of NSCDC, Deputy Commandant Oyedokun Adewoye paraded the three suspects: Kingsley Omosore, 35, Paul Christopher, 40 and Akeem Kamoru, 23 before newsmen at the command headquarters in Akure, the state capital and stated that the three suspects were apprehended by the anti vandal unit of the command for vandalizing Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline at Omotosho village along Ore-Sagamu Expressway.

    “The three suspects have successfully siphoned 1,550 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) contained in 62 kegs of 25 litres capacity jerry can and loaded in a green picnic car with registration number LND 486 CP Lagos.

    “The suspects were arrested at 05:45am on Tuesday by anti-vandal unit of the Command following a tip off by a good citizen, who saw them when they were scooping the product from the vandalized NNPC pipeline at Omotosho, Okitipupa Local Government Area, Ondo State,” he revealed.

    According to him, the suspects have confessed to the crime and the welder that helped them drill the pipeline had been arrested as well for further interrogation by the command.

    He noted that the suspects would be charged to court for prosecution immediately after the interrogation and investigation, to serve as deterrent to others who are still engaging in the nefarious business in the state.

    The NSCDC boss pledged the commitment of command to reduce oil pipeline vandalism in the state to the barest minimum, and warned that those who still engage themselves in the illegal business should vacate Ondo State because the state would be made inhabitable for them.

  The acting commandant however, promised to work with other stakeholders in the state to achieve the objective set aside by the corps as he declared, “let me appeal to the stakeholders especially the state government to assist the Corps in realising its objectives.