Tag: NSCDC

The Abia State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has apprehended two individuals allegedly involved in illegal petroleum activities, reinforcing its commitment to combating economic sabotage in the state.

The suspects, Lucky Emmanuel (22) and Oluchi Dike (26), were arrested in Isiala Ihie, Ugwunagbo Local Government Area, during a raid by the command’s Crack Squad. The operation uncovered an illegal refinery hidden in the forest, containing large quantities of crude oil reportedly siphoned from a vandalized pipeline in the vicinity.

Addressing reporters, the Abia NSCDC Commandant, Prince Akinsola Aderemi, stated that the arrests were part of a broader directive by the Commandant General, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, to eradicate illegal bunkering nationwide.

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“During the operation, significant quantities of petroleum products at various stages of processing were seized. This discovery underscores the extent of economic sabotage being carried out by these unscrupulous elements,” Aderemi said.

He revealed that investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other individuals connected to the illegal operation. Aderemi emphasized that such activities pose severe threats to the nation’s economy and the environment, vowing to leave no stone unturned in rooting out criminals involved in these acts.

The Commandant warned individuals still engaged in illegal petroleum activities to desist or face the full force of the law. “The Abia Command remains steadfast in ensuring that the state is safe and secure for all law-abiding citizens,” he added.

Aderemi also called on the public to assist the NSCDC by providing credible intelligence that could lead to the arrest of criminal elements. “Collaboration with the public is key to tackling these challenges. Together, we can ensure the safety and security of our communities,” he said.

The NSCDC reiterated its resolve to uphold its mandate of protecting critical national assets and infrastructure, assuring residents of Abia State of its unwavering commitment to maintaining law and order.

…impound truck loaded with stolen assets

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) command has arrested five vandals and impounded a truck loaded with stolen roads and Communications infrastructures and assets.

The five suspects were paraded at the headquarters of the FCT, Abuja Command on Tuesday by the Commandant, Dr Olusola Odumosu.

According to Odumosu some of the stolen assets recovered from the vandals were drainage covers, iron pipe protectors for bridge shoulders, communication mast accessories, and rolls of stainless steel pipe clamps.

Others are manhole covers, angle bars from the public water tank, scaffold pipes and clips electricity aluminium conductors, Wire Mesh and armoured Aluminium Conductors, and equipment for the security barricade from the Nnamdi Azikiwe expressway.

He gave the names of the suspects as Aminu Yusuf, Saminu Yusuf, Adamu Sani, and Suleiman Yusuf, all from the Bebeji local government of Kano, while the remaining suspect, Usman Jalo hails from Nasarawa State.

“Today, we have here, an impounded truck loaded with scraps and other vandalized items. The arrest of the vandalism suspects was made possible by the combined team of our eagle-eyed Intelligence personnel and the Critical National Assets and Infrastructure department’s tactical team while on routine night patrol at about 1:30 am on Saturday (16th November 2024) around the Dei-Dei axis of the territory”, Odumosu said.

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He said the investigation revealed that the suspects were coming from Gauta junction in Nasarawa State, and were on their way to deliver the stolen assets to a melting company in Kaduna State.

The Commandant said the FCT has been declared a no-go area for vandals, scavengers, hoodlums and other criminals who spend their days under Abuja bridges only to embark on vandalism of assets in the night.

He called on residents of the FCT to provide intelligence information to security personnel to enable them to rid the city of vandals and other criminals.

Odumosu said: “The Truck came under reasonable suspicion when the Command’s team while on night patrol noticed that the truck was without number plates at the front and rear but rather had a plate number with registration number TRN 318ZY KANO, placed at the front windscreen of the vehicle.

“In addition, the suspicious truck’s left and right side mirrors were fortified with nails supposedly to harm any security operatives that may venture to stop them or for other mischievous reasons.

“However, upon sighting the truck around Aso Radio, Katampe axis of Kubwa expressway, my men flagged it down but the driver refused to stop the vehicle and sped off which made our patrol team give them a hot chase until they were apprehended at Dei-Dei U-turn around Mopol barracks.

“As soon as the truck was apprehended, the driver and a co-driver ran away with the truck’s ignition key, leaving behind three other occupants who were immediately arrested alongside the truck by our patrol team.”

• •Impounds SUVs

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Rivers State command, has uncovered a new method adopted by oil thieves to convey their stolen products from the creeks to other parts of the state.

The Rivers Commandant, NSCDC, Joachim Okafor, disclosed on Friday in Port Harcourt that oil thieves and economic saboteurs had resorted to the use of rugged Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to evacuate stolen petroleum products.

Okafor said their preferred brand of SUV was the Toyota Sequoia adding that most times they moved in convoy of such vehicles while transporting the products to deceive security operatives.

He said the oil thieves were using the method to convey the products to neighbouring states, where they would load them into tankers or small trucks.

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Okafor said three of such SUVs were intercepted and impounded by the anti-vandal team of his command and that the entire vehicles were stuffed with illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO).

Displaying the vehicles, it was found that their interiors were redesigned to accommodate hundreds of litres of AGO, which was carefully concealed in cellophane bags.

Okafor said on sighting to the command’s operatives, the suspects conveying the products abandoned the vehicles and fled into the bush.

He said: “This briefing is important because the oil thieves have changed their mode of conveying their stolen products. Now if you wait to arrest them along the road, you will not see them. They are now carrying the products through the bush with SUVs.

“As men of our anti-vandal unit got information about this new method, they moved into action and arrested three Toyota Sequoia SUVs in various bushes.”

Okafor said one of the vehicles with registration number KHE 434 AA was arrested at Etche Local Government Area while the two others were nabbed at Omuma.

…impounds SUVs

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Rivers State command, has uncovered a new method adopted by oil thieves to convey their stolen products from the creeks to other parts of the state.

The Rivers Commandant, NSCDC, Joachim Okafor, disclosed on Friday in Port Harcourt that oil thieves and economic saboteurs had resorted to the use of rugged Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to evacuate stolen petroleum products.

Okafor said their preferred brand of SUV was the Toyota Sequoia adding that most times they moved in convoy of such vehicles while transporting the products to deceive security operatives.

He said the oil thieves were using the method to convey the products to neighbouring states, where they would load them into tankers or small trucks.

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Okafor said three such SUVs were intercepted and impounded by the anti-vandal team of his command and that the entire vehicles were stuffed with illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO).

Displaying the vehicles, it was found that their interiors were redesigned to accommodate hundreds of litres of AGO, which was carefully concealed in cellophane bags.

Okafor said on sighting to the command’s operatives, the suspects conveying the products abandoned the vehicles and fled into the bush.

He said: “This briefing is important because the oil thieves have changed their mode of conveying their stolen products. Now if you wait to arrest them along the road, you will not see them. They are now carrying the products through the bush with SUVs.

“As men of our anti-vandal unit got information about this new method, they moved into action and arrested three Toyota Sequoia SUVs in various bushes”.

Okafor said one of the vehicles with registration number KHE 434 AA was arrested at Etche Local Government Area while the two others were nabbed at Omuma.

He said the command would carry out further investigations with the view of arresting and prosecuting persons involved in the economic sabotage.

He said: “I want to use this medium to warn persons doing this illicit business to desist because when we arrest you, we will prosecute you. I am advising them to look for legitimate business to do because there is no place for this illicit business in Rivers”.

The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Dr Ahmed Audi said over 200 mining sites have been recovered from bandits and illegal miners across the country following the inauguration of Mining Marshals by the Federal Government. 

According to him, 300 suspects are cooling their heels behind the bars, while others are undergoing thorough investigation for economic sabotage by pillaging the solid mineral resources of the country. 

Audi was however commended for the feat by the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Dele Alake. 

According to a statement from the Public Relations Officer of the Corps, Babawale Afolabi, they spoke at the passing out parade of the 3rd batch of Mining Marshals at the headquarters of the Corps in Abuja. 

Tunji-Ojo praised the NSCDC boss for his doggedness for the deployment of highly trained and professional personnel to protect the nation’s critical national assets and infrastructure. 

Tunji-Ojo was represented by the Secretary, Civil Defence, Correctional Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) Alhaji Ahmed Ja’afaru.

He noted that with the level of rigorous training and knowledge-driven skills imparted on the Mining Marshals, there is hope and a future for the nation especially for the protection of its economic assets. 

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He expressed optimism that the NSCDC would play significant roles to enhance the security architecture of the country, and called on the NSCDC operatives to leverage the laudable opportunity and discharge their duties professionally. 

Dr Dele Alake who was represented by the Director of Federal Mines and Steel; Engr Imam Ganiyu said a close look at the achievements recorded by the NSCDC under the current leadership showed that the collaboration between the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Solid Minerals has brought about a significant change in the mining sector. 

He further spoke on the need to intensify efforts to generate more revenue for the Federal government and create more jobs for the teaming youths.  

The NSCDC Boss earlier reiterated that the mining Marshals codenamed ‘Operation Hayakin logo’ was commissioned to provide safety and security for the mining industry and effect the arrests of economic saboteurs. 

He said the mining industry would soon experience a positive turnaround as the Corps would not relent in waging war against illegal mining activities across the board.  

“Recall that over 300 suspects and over 200 mining sites have been recovered from illegal miners and bandits”, Dr Audi said. 

Dr Audi declared that there had been a high level of compliance with mining laws and regulations in Nigeria as illegal miners, industry espionage and economic saboteurs all are being stamped out. 

He advocated further collaboration in areas of training and retraining of personnel as well as provision of equipment for effective policing of the over 1000 detected illegal mining sites across the country. 

The Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has disclosed that the corps has promoted 9000 personnel across its various commands in the country.

Audi, who visited the Rivers State Command, said he was committed to ensuring the protection of all critical national assets and infrastructure across the nation.

A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer (PRO), NSCDC, Rivers State Command, SC Olufemi Ayodele, said Audi paid the command a visit to encourage and motivate the personnel.

The statement said Audi called on the command to ensure that the fight against crude oil theft, training, supervision, monitoring and Issuing of operating license to private security guard practitioners, disaster management and other statutory mandates of the corps were effectively carried out.

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Audi said the government and the public reposed so much trust in the corps and urged the personnel to justify their existence by discharging assigned duties effectively and in tandem with the statutory mandate.

He said: “Let me affirm to you officers and men that Rivers State Command is obviously doing well but to whom much is given much is expected; you must renew your commitment in the discharge of Corps’ statutory mandate by projecting the good image of this noble organisation.

“Repositioning this Corps to a world class elite organization is a long term vision of mine and I am very passionate about it.

“As an effective and hardworking leader within this three years under my watch; you can attest to the fact that there has been tremendous transformation so far; starting from the introduction of career progression development courses in our colleges to training and retraining of personnel in order to enhance professionalism and efficiency and clearing of backlog of promotions which had earlier rendered many officers devastated and demoralised.

“This administration painstakingly looked into the overwhelming challenges and today I am happy to see your excitement and jubilation because of the recent 2024 promotion in which over 9000 personnel benefited across the nation.

“It is in this spirit I therefore charge you to continue to fan the embers of progress by putting in your best in every area you are assigned; knowing fully well that you have a Commandant General who cares more about your welfare, career development and overall success.

“The protection of critical national assets and infrastructure must be given utmost priority because this is what we are paid for and your unwavering commitment is needed without compromise; the economy of our nation rests on the critical assets and these must be safeguarded and secured from economic saboteurs.”