NSCDC nabs 28 in Abia for vandalism, illegal oil deals

Twenty-eight people have been arrested by the Abia State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for alleged vandalisation of petrol pipelines and involvement in illegal oil business between September and December 2020. The State Commandant of the NSCDC, Abia Command, Mr Vincent Ogu, made the disclosure yesterday in Umuahia, while briefing […]

Twenty-eight people have been arrested by the Abia State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for alleged vandalisation of petrol pipelines and involvement in illegal oil business between September and December 2020.

The State Commandant of the NSCDC, Abia Command, Mr Vincent Ogu, made the disclosure yesterday in Umuahia, while briefing the press.

He explained that the suspects were nabbed for various offences such as vandalisation of petroleum pipelines, oil bunkering, illegal dealing in petroleum products among others.

Ogu added that 20 out of the 28 suspects had already been charged to court while the remaining eight would also be arraigned when investigations are concluded.

He said his men arrested four persons with a truck at Ubakala Junction, Umuahia, along Enugu-Port Harcourt highway conveying some illegal petroleum products concealed to deceive the public.

The commandant gave the number of the truck as MGU7585A while the name of the suspects arrested with the truck as John James, Nwile Chukwuma, Sunday Mangu and Nwoke Sunday.

The illegal petroleum products found with them, according to the NSCDC commandant, included diesel concealed in 50 kegs and two nylon bags with 25 litres of diesel which the suspects covered with bags of sawdust to deceive the public.

He further revealed that preliminary investigation conducted on the matter showed that the suspects did not have any license to be in the petroleum business.

He assured that his command would maintain vigilance on public properties.