The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Civil Defence

  • Civil Defence washes hands of Festac killing

    Civil Defence washes hands of Festac killing

    The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) yesterday said its operatives were not involved in Wednesday’s shootings in Festac Town, Lagos, in which a motorcyclist was killed.

    It blamed hoodlums for the mishap.

    Its spokesman, Emmanuel Okey, told The Nation on phone that preliminary investigation indicated that Civil Defence officials did not fire a shot at the Forte Oil filling station.

    The operatives, he said, were in the neighbourhood to ensure orderliness and ward off black marketers, who have taken over filling stations since the beginning of the fuel crisis.

    According to him, three hoodlums have been arrested in connection with the incident.

    Okey said: “We have commenced investigation and so far we have discovered that our men did not shoot at the station. They did not shoot anyone. They went there to control the situation.

    “We are appealing to Lagosians to be patient, queue up properly and buy petrol. We are also discouraging the issue of black marketers; that is what we have been doing everywhere.

    “Investigations in the matter are ongoing and some hoodlums have already been arrested in connection with the shootings. Three persons have been arrested and we will give further information at the end of the day.”

    Armed soldiers were yesterday drafted to NSCDC Festac office to protect it.

    Those two injured in the incident – Smart Ogabor and Oladiran Atolagbe – who were taken to Isolo General Hospital, were discharged on Wednesday evening, it was learnt yesterday.

    Police spokesperson Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent (SP), said: “At the scene, eye-witness account revealed that Operatives of NSCDC, about seven in number, in a Toyota Hilux Pickup official vehicle, armed with AK47 rifles, raided roadside black market petroleum product dealers, along 21 Road.

    “In the process, they fired sporadically injuring one Smart Ogabor, Oladiran Atolagbe and Emeka, surname unknown and escaped to unknown destination. “Emeka, an Okada rider, was confirmed dead at Lagos Mainland General Hospital, Yaba, while his body was deposited at the mortuary for autopsy.

    “Meanwhile one Kabiru Yusuf and two others, were allegedly taken away by the NSCDC operatives. 15 expended 7.62mm ammunition was recovered from the scene.  Efforts ongoing to locate the NSCDC team,” said Badmos on Wednesday night.

  • Civil Defence parades eight suspected pipeline vandals

    Civil Defence parades eight suspected pipeline vandals

    LAGOS State Command of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) operatives yesterday paraded eight suspected pipeline vandals.

    Six were arrested on the high sea close to Republic of Benin border; the other two were caught on Elepute near Ikorodu.

    They are Ademuyiwa Eniafe, 29; Abayo Adeolu, 39; Suru Hunpevi, 30; Massel Hungbo, 25; Mark Huntonji, 22; Emmanuel Somoten, 18; Joseph Gbehan, 21 and Gbenonu Jonas, 29.

    NSCDC Commandant Tajudeen Balogun, said Eniafe and Adeolu were arrested with 53 drums of 50-litre of fuel; the others were caught with 53 drums of 150-litre of diesel.

    Balogun said: “We made some arrest from Ikorodu on Sunday around 10:32pm. They were arrested in Itaoluwo area. The bus was filled with 53 gallons of petrol. Investigation will continue to unravel if they belong to a cartel to get to the bottom of the matter, then they will be charged to court. As far as the command is concerned, we will do our job the way it is supposed to be done.

    “The Badagry arrest was on the sea around Ikogberefu. It involved some canoes that were in the habit of loading diesel across the border to Republic of Benin. It was a specific squad in the corps that handles water activity that intercepted them. Six suspects were handed over to the army. If investigation is done and they are yet to prove where they got it from, they will be charged to court.”

    Eniafe said he knew nothing about the fuel, adding that he only requested for a lift before he was arrested.

    He said: “I was returning from my friend’s place when I saw Abayo. I told him to assist me with a ride which he accepted. I did not know his vehicle was filled with petrol. When I asked who the owner was, he said she was on a motorcycle in front of us. When the woman noticed someone was beside Adeolu, she pointed a torch at me. When she saw me, she pleaded with me to follow the driver to their destination which I agreed. When we got to Elepete, we were arrested. I did not see the woman again. I know her very well. She is Iya Aliyah. She is the owner of the fuel. I was only coming from my friend’s house. I work at Nigeria Premiere Lotto as a sub-agent but whenever I am broke, I carry fuel for which I am paid N100 per gallon. I have a daughter and my wife is six-month pregnant. My family needs me.”

    Adeolu, a driver, said he never imagined he would be in such a situation because he followed his boss’ instruction.

    He said his boss, Wale, told him he was going to convey load for a woman, adding that when he asked what it was, he was told that he would know when he got there.

    “I shuttle between Ikorodu and Ogijo. I don’t even know the area. I was even scared to go there because it is a cultists’ hideout. She said I shouldn’t worry that she had people to load the petrol into the vehicle for me. I have never done this before. They agreed to give me N4, 000. It was only 33 jerry cans I carried. I have faced a lot of things lately. I lost my wife and my child three months ago,” he said.

  • Civil Defence arrests 130 in Kogi

    Civil Defence arrests 130 in Kogi

    •19 arraigned

    The Kogi State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) arrested 130 suspects for vandalism and theft last year.

    The Commandant, Mr. Ochogwu Michael, yesterday in Lokoja at a review of the command’s activities last year, said it protected national assets and infrastructures, adding that of the suspects apprehended, 19 were arraigned, out of which four cases were concluded and 15 were pending.

    He said the exhibits recovered included illegal petroleum products, vehicles, pumping machines, communication cables and drums, stressing that transformer vandalism, which characterised the first quarter of last year, had reduced.

    According to him, surveillance and patrol of power installations helped the command to achieve result.

     

  • Civil Defence arrest three for alleged theft of IKEDC meters

    Civil Defence arrest three for alleged theft of IKEDC meters

    THREE men have been arrested for stealing Smart Card Meters belonging to  Ikeja Electricity District Company (IKEDC). They are Uzor Anyanwu, 29, a contract worker with IKEDC, Hassan Usman and Peter Etamen Anyanwu,  who was paraded along with the others last Friday by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), said he stole the meters to enable him  get money for his mother’s medical bills.

    He said: “I install meters for IKEDC. I was arrested because I stole two meters from our site. My colleague, Etamen, said I should help him to get two metres as a customer has given him money to install meters for him. He didn’t tell me the amount he was given but he said he was going to pay me N20, 000 each for the meters. So I told him I was going to give him whenever they were available. Few months later, he called me on phone and reminded me. The day I got the meters, I told him but he didn’t give me any kobo. We don’t sell them. They are for free.

    “The problem is that when I was employed, I was told they were going to pay N1,000 for each meter installed and N700 for a single-phase meter. But, for over four months, I haven’t been paid. They said it is until they check what we have installed that they will pay us. I have been using the little money I have for transport. The period Etamen brought the idea was the same time my mother needed money to treat herself. I didn’t get the money let alone my mother who is now late. I am not happy about what is happening. I am still young and also the first child of my family. They should please make this a warning for us.”

    Lagos State NSCDC Commandant Gabriel Abafi said the suspects were caught tampering with IKEDC installation.

    He said: “Usman was held along Ikosi-Ketu on October 28. He quietly waited until Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) took light and he destabilised the phases. After thorough investigation, he disclosed to have been in the business for a long time. Also, the two other suspects were caught with smart card readers/meters meant for another zone which have been computerised but they didn’t know. They confessed it was a former official of IKEDC who wanted the meters. Meters are not for sale; they are installed free.”

    Abafi enjoined the public to request for meters through the appropriate channel.

    IKEDC’s Head of Corporate Communications, Pekun Adeyanju said the firm had distributed 2,000 meters since May.

    “We started a mass roll-out in September. And our target is to install 10,000 to 12,000 metres on a monthly basis. We are targeting 300, 000 installed metres between now and 2016. Everyone will get it; residents don’t need to pay anybody. They need to be patient,” Adeyanju said.

    Usman, a native of Niger State, said he was on his way to his shop in Mile 12 when he was caught defecating beside a transformer.

    He said: “I was on my way to Mile 12 market around 10am when I wanted to defecate. As I entered where the transformer was installed to use the toilet, IKEDC officials entered. I won’t gain anything from lying. I was pressed and wanted to use the toilet. The dirt outside where the transformer is installed made me go inside and not up to two minutes, the officials came. I sell tomato in Mile 12 market. I am married with eight children.”

    Etamen, 38, said a former IKEDC worker gave him the job, adding that he promised  Anyanwu N30,000 out of the N150,000 collected.

    “When Anyanwu told me the meters were available, he said he didn’t get them from a good source but I thought we were not going to be caught. He got me the metres. They should use this as a warning for us. I will never go close to it again. I have a wife and daughter to cater for. The man was already threatening me if I didn’t bring the meters; that was why I kept pestering Anyanwu,” Etamen said.

  • NNPC gets 67,400 litres of petrol from Civil Defence

    NNPC gets 67,400 litres of petrol from Civil Defence

    Lagos State Command of Nigeria Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has handed over 67,400 litres of fuel to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) after being tested by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

    The products were recovered from oil vandals in the last four months.

    About 1,443 jerry cans of 25-litre each were intercepted around Badagry; 204 kegs of 50-litre each and 81 drums of 250-litre each were also seized within the Ikorodu-Ikeja axis.

    The products were loaded from creeks in Ikorodu, Escravos Apapa and Festac Town. They were to be shipped to the Republic of Benin and Togo.

    NSCDC Commandant Gabriel Abafi said the operations were because of the intelligence gathered by the undercover agents and other members of the society.

    He appealed to Lagosians to always give the corps information to enable it discharge its responsibility.

    Abafi said: “Tanker and trailer drivers have become a discomfort to motorists in the state. But I assure you that the corps will join hands with other sister-agencies to prevent the recurrence of such ugly incidents as recently witnessed in Iyana-Ipaja and Ojuelegba areas of the state in the future.”

    He told drivers not to take for granted what he called the benevolence of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who ordered the release of vehicles arrested by LASTMA to their owners.

  • Civil Defence parades suspected pipeline vandal

    A 30-year-old driver, Sunday Ewaranwon, yesterday said he took to pipeline vandalism to make money to pay his children’s school fees.

    The suspect, who was paraded by the Lagos State Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ikeja, said he was in charge of securing the products got from vandalised pipelines.

    “I went to visit my brother in Bariga to ask if he could borrow me some money to pay my children’s school fees but he said he was broke. His friend, Fidelis, entered his house and said he had a 50-litre petrol he wanted to sell. Fidelis said those he sent on errands said they were tired and couldn’t secure the other products. As Fidelis left my brother’s place, I went to him and said I was going to secure the products till the following day. He promised to pay me N15,000 and I agreed. Not up to 30minutes after Fidelis dropped me off to start the job, I was arrested,” he said.

    Ewaranwon said he didn’t know where Fidelis got the fuel.

    “I was only securing the products. I have not worked for four months because my vehicle has been faulty. I have been sitting at the garage where they give me N100 or N200 daily. It couldn’t sustain me. I needed to do something to sustain my family,” he said.

    The state commandant, Gabriel Abaffi, said the suspect was arrested with 154 jerry cans of 50-litre petrol and 33 empty 50-litre kegs at Ijora, Lagos.

    Abafi said the product was loaded in a wooden boat with 30-Horsepower Suzuki engine.

    “They were two suspected vandals but one of them, whose name was given as Godbless, jumped into the river when he sighted our men. He had 7,700 litres of petrol worth N669,000. The jerry cans had names on them with different signs. People should strive to get legitimate jobs they can rely on,” he said.

  • Civil Defence promotes 152

    Civil Defence promotes 152

    No fewer than 152 Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officials have been promoted.

    The officers were yesterday in Lagos also honoured for their dedication to duty, punctuality and discipline.

    The event held at the Lagos Command in Ikeja, is the first in the corps history. Speaking on the occasion, NSCDC Commandant Gabriel Abafi said: “Hard work pays and it is more beneficial when one does it without being monitored or rewarded financially. I can feel the joy in them and with this spirit, they will make sure they defend the defenceless just like our motto.”

    He said 128 officials were promoted in the command, 14 and 10 from the liaison and zonal offices.

    Assistant Commandant-General in charge of Zone A Lugard Osemwegie said officials who had worked for three to five years took the promotion examination and were honoured immediately the results reached the command.

    “I am overwhelmed. Not that those promoted were too good but they deserve it and I urge them to continue the good work. Also, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, we intend to send 250 men for training. Since crime is dynamic, crime fighters have to be dynamic too,”Osemwegie said.

    Mrs G.R.A Akinsemoyin-Apata, Director Special Duties, Governor’s Office, who represented the governor, said the officials deserved to be rewarded since they are diligent.

    “I thank God for everything and also knowing I have been ranked Chief Superintendent gladdens my heart,” said Chika Chukwurah, one of the promoted officials.

    Another official James Omoniyi said he was overwhelmed by his promotion.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Civil Defence nabs 17 ‘pipeline vandals’

    Civil Defence nabs 17 ‘pipeline vandals’

    Operatives of the Nigerian Security Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, yesterday paraded 17 suspected pipeline vandals.

    The suspects were arrested around the high seas by soldiers with stolen Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

    NSCDC Commandant, Gabriel Abafi, said the suspects were arrested with 700 gallons and 96 gallons of 25 litres of petrol and three speed boats.

    He said: ”The vandals thought we have gone to rest but we are everywhere. I thank the officers of the Nigerian Army for their courage. We shall give the exhibits to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for storage and then the court will rule over it. People should desist from such illegal act.

    One of the suspects, Adewunmi Oyewogan, a security man, said:”I just got employed by Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) as a security. The day before I was arrested, I received a phone call from my wife but when I couldn’t hear her well, I decided to go home because I was worried. Around 5.30am, I took permission to go home from Commando , our boss who was in charge. When I got to the shore at Atlas Cove, Apapa in Lagos, I saw some men on the floor. I don’t know anything about this. I was only employed as a security man in the area.”

    Segun Ashogbon, who hails from Igbokoda in Ondo State said:”I had to find a means of livelihood when my father died three years ago. I am a boat driver. Since his death, families left us. Around April, I had just bought five gallons of petrol form Agip in Apapa for my boat before I was apprehended by Naval officials. I ply liverpool to Ojo Road everyday. I explained to them but they didn’t listen to me. I was detained for two months then later transferred to Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) before I was brought to NSCDC base two weeks ago where I was allowed to reach my family. I don’t know anything about it. I didn’t vandalise anything.”

    Ashamu Mauhtin, a native of Ajara in Badagry, said he was selling petrol when he was held.

    “I am a manager at Dapkik Petrol Station. I am not a vandal. Three of my colleagues and I were on duty when we got arrested. We sell to fishermen to gallons at N87 with the fuel pump. We have informed the owner of the filling station who was not around when we got arrested and has promised to send someone. I don’t know anything about it,” he said.

  • Civil Defence investigates suspect’s death

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Sokoto State command, has set up a committee to unravel the mystery behind the death of 38-year-old Jamilu Abdullahi.

    He allegedly died in the custody of the NSCDC.

    Before his death, the deceased, arrested by the corps, was a graduate of the College of Agriculture, Bakura in Zamfara State and an employee of Tureta Local Government in Sokoto State.

    Confirming the incident to reporters yesterday in Sokoto, the Commandant, Bello Musa, said: “I can confirm the death of the deceased after he was arrested by the operatives of the corps at the Sokoto South Local Government, following a complaint by his neighbour.

    “But it is untrue that personnel of the corps killed him. Investigations will uncover the cause of his death.

    “Any officer indicted by the investigations will face the wrath of the law.”

    Musa said the deceased was arrested after a complaint by Amina Mohammed, “following a misunderstanding.”

    The deceased’s family accused NSCDC of killing their child.

    The deceased’s mother, Binta Abdullahi, a widow of a retired military officer, told reporters that the late Jamilu died at the Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, last Friday.

    She said he was the bread winner of a family of nine and was referred to UDUTH from the Specialist Hospital, Sokoto on May 26.

    Her words: “He was our bread winner. He had four younger sisters and three younger brothers. He graduated from the College of Agriculture, Bakura in Zamfara State.

    “He was working with the Tureta Local Government until his death and he was the pillar of the family after the demise of my late husband, a military pensioner.

    “All we want is justice. We need his death certificate and his autopsy report, which will reveal the cause of his death.”

    The commandant said the body of the deceased, which was rejected by his family, was kept at the morgue of the Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto adding: “The death certificate will be ready today (Monday).

    “We hope to take the body to the family together with the death certificate any moment from now.

    “We hope they will accept it and bury it according to Islamic rites.”

    The complainant, Amina, was said to have deserted her home. The place was shut when our reporter visited. The house is at Dambowa in Sokoto.

    ‘He was our bread winner. He had four younger sisters and three younger brothers. He graduated from the College of Agriculture, Bakura in Zamfara State’

     

     

  • Civil Defence chief proffers security tips

    Lagos State Commandant Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Gabriel Abafi has charged Private Guard Companies (PGC) to collaborate with public security agencies to guarantee their clients safety.

    Abafi gave the charge at a stakeholders’ forum in Lagos, with the theme: “Drawing up a tested, trusted and virile national security template towards a re-positioned and new Nigeria.”

    According to him, the seminar was designed to brief members of PGCs on the current trends in security management.

    He said: “Security companies need to collaborate with public security agencies before their clients can be protected from crimes and hazards. Everyone should be security-conscious. If you sight a strange person in your midst, do not hesitate to alert security agencies, especially here in Lagos where anything goes.”

    The guest lecturer, Adebayo Akinlade, a lawyer and Director-General, Institute of Securities, said for an effective and efficient security service, there must be optimum transformation and improvement from private firms.

    National Finance Director of Association of Licensed Private Security of Nigeria (ALPSPN) Godwin Enuoyigbo said the association is not enjoying public patronage.

    He said: “Knowing the current security situation in the country, it is regrettable that some people still employ unlicensed and unprofessional security officers with utter disregard to us.

    “At the moment, we engage the largest number of security personnel in the country; so, we are in the best position to know what is happening and advise the government on security issues.

    “If we can be better recognised, we will provide information and assist in proper conduct of elections in subsequent years. Our services will also be needed in the area of disaster management.”

    Former ALSPN chairman Oladele Inheren said the seminar was organised to discuss security agencies’ role in the country.

    Security companies’ operators, he said, must be allowed to work without interference, adding: “We need to be recognised first before any duty can be carried out. We have information about every employer in case he/she needs to be tracked when there is a problem. I believe the crime rate will be reduced, if not totally eradicated, if we are known,” he added.

    Wale Adubi, who works with Strength Securities, said: “As an operator in the security sector, it is necessary that you keep in touch with your regulatory body. Most of us are limited in our scope of regulation; so, this interactive session is, indeed, a wake-up call for us.”