THE Akwa Ibom State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) arrested 66 persons for pipeline vandalism-related offences in the outgone year.

The Commandant, Emmanuel Ojeniyi, who made the disclosure yesterday in Uyo while addressing journalists on the activities of the command, commended the Federal Government for arming the corps, stressing that that single decision immensely contributed to the achievement and helped it delivered on its mandate.

According to him, the armament made them to effectively and efficiently counter the activities of pipeline vandals, petroleum products’ adulterators, among others.
Of the number arrested, 34 are in court, seven already disposed of, another seven convicted while 18 cases were abandoned.

According to Ojeniyi, the forsaken suits arose from either refusal of witnesses to appear in court or fleeing drivers of abandoned vehicles with adulterated products.
“As it is our mandate, we will arrest the vehicle, take it to court and since the owner will not come out to identify himself, such items are confiscated and the case would be abandoned since you don’t have anybody to appear in court to defend himself,” he said.

The commandant who resumed duties in the second quarter of last year, expressed satisfaction with his stewardship, commending security agencies in the state for their cordial collaboration which materialized in a number of arrests and prosecutions.