The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has paraded five suspects for allegedly vandalising communication cables and possessing illegal petroleum products.
The suspects are Sulieman Abdulamin (30), Musa Yakubu (37), Celestine Nelson (29), Oluwatosin Henry (27), and Okolawen Femi (25). They were arrested in different locations within the FCT.
According to the FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, two of the suspects were caught at Pai, in Kwali Area Council, with 16 jerrycans of crude oil. He said an investigation was ongoing to trace the source of the oil and the mastermind behind the operation.
Two other suspects were accused of damaging the armoured cables of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The fifth suspect was nabbed for stealing a flat-screen television at Maitama District Hospital.
Odumosu said the command was determined to eliminate all forms of vandalism and criminality in the FCT. He said the suspects would be prosecuted after the completion of the investigations.
He also urged the public to cooperate with the security agencies and report any suspicious activities or persons to the nearest NSCDC office.
The NSCDC is one of the security agencies tasked with combating oil theft and pipeline vandalism in Nigeria. The illegal activities cause huge losses to the government and the oil companies, as well as environmental damage to the Niger Delta region.
The NSCDC has recently reported several operations to destroy illegal refineries and arrest oil bunkers in Imo and Delta states. The agency also collaborates with other security forces to ensure peace and security in the country.
The FCT Commandant also used the occasion to mark the 2023 International Day of Peace, with the theme “Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals”. He said the day was a call to action that recognises the responsibility of everyone to foster peace and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.
He said peace was needed more than ever in the face of war, conflict, climate change, and inequality. He called on all Nigerians to embrace peace and harmony, and work together to achieve a greener, more equitable, just, and secure future for all.
Source: Punch
