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Tag: NSCDC

  • NSCDC destroys six illegal refineries in Cross River 

    NSCDC destroys six illegal refineries in Cross River 

    The Cross River State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr. Adeuyi Dayo Clement, Tuesday disclosed that six refineries that were used for illegal bunkering were destroyed in the state last year.

    He said 15 suspects for various offences were arrested of which three out of seven facing trial have been convicted.

    The Commandant said the agency has stepped up operations to stamp out illegal bunkering and diversion of petroleum products in the state.

    He said they had also impounded drums of diesel from pipeline vandals as well as recovered electricity cables.

    He said they were working with other security agencies in the state to ensure crime is checked.

    However, Clement complained that the command was faced with shortage of operational vehicles to carry out widespread monitoring of illegal activities.

    Though he said the vehicles available were strategically deployed across the state to get the best results, he appealed to the government and well meaning organisations to assist by providing more.

     

  • NSCDC arrests 234 suspects for vandalism

    NSCDC arrests 234 suspects for vandalism

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Lagos State Command, on Tuesday said it arrested 234 suspects in 2015 for vandalism of government’s critical infrastructure and other offences.

    The Lagos State Corps Commander, Mr Gabriel Abafi, who made the disclosure while speaking with journalists in Ikeja, said the command contributed immensely to ensuring that critical assets within its domain were protected.

    “In view of the operation of the command in 2015, the command arrested 234 suspects for vandalism.

    “The activities of the command spread across Anti-Vandalism, Disaster Management, Surveilance/Intelligence gathering and supervision of Private Guards Companies among others.

    “The command had between January and December in the area of anti-vandalism arrested about 150 suspected vandals who were caught vandalising petroleum pipelines and installations.

    “The arrests were made in different locations from Badagry to Isawo-Ikorodu, Amuwo Odofin, FESTAC Town, Ijora Waterfront and Oyingbo in Ebute Meta Waterfront, Igando, Ibeju Lekki/Epe axis and Apapa.

    “It is pertinent to note that all these areas are prone to vandalism,’’ he said.

    Abafi said the command also arrested some suspects who were involved in adulteration of petroleum products.

    “All the petroleum products seized in the course of the arrests so far in 2015 have been transferred to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and prosecution,’’ he said.

    Abafi also said that the command in protecting the national assets ensured that all the electricity and telecommunications installations were protected.

    However, there was vandalism of these installations in different locations in Lagos, especially in Ikeja axis, adding that “it was pertinent to note that all the culprits were arrested.’’

    He said the command ensured that all private guard companies within Lagos metropolis complied with the rules and regulations guiding their operations.

    He added that the command sealed about 50 private guard companies which were operating illegally and helped in the registration process and renewal of licenses for some of them.

    Abafi noted that within the period under review, the suspected vandals arrested had been arraigned in different courts within Lagos after conclusion of investigation by the command’s Intelligence Unit.

    He said the corps had been able to assist in emergency situations in 2015 and thanked other sister agencies which assisted the command for the good of the country at large.

    He added that the corps would continue to maintain 24 hour security surveillance everywhere.

    According to him, the command has mapped out strategies to ensure that the critical assets of government in the state are protected in 2016.

    “This year, the command will focus especially on Lagos waterways.

    “Statistics have shown that majority of the crimes committed within the state are through the waterways.

    “We are mindful of this and we will do our best to curtail it,’’ he said.

  • NSCDC arrests 658 suspects on illegal refinery, oil theft

    NSCDC arrests 658 suspects on illegal refinery, oil theft

    •Charges 229 suspects to court

    658 suspects were arrested for alleged involvement in the operation of illegal refineries, oil theft and other criminal activities in the out gone year by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    Commandant of the corps in charge of the Rivers State Command, Mrs. Hellen Amakiri, disclosed this while parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

    She said out of the 658 suspects, 229 of them have been charged to court, adding that the arrests were made possible because of her command’s massive onslaught against acts aimed at sabotaging the nation’s economy.

    She said out of the criminal cases charged to court between January and December 2015, the corps secured 22 convictions, while 207 cases are pending for trial.

    She noted that her command has declared a zero tolerance on sabotage, adding that based on the available evidence against the accused persons, the remaining suspects would be convicted by the court.

    She said: “Most of these suspects were involved in illegal dealings in petroleum products and floating of illegal refineries. With our efforts, vandals’ illegal activities along the pipelines have drastically reduced. We have been able to destroy thousands of drums containing adulterated or illegally refined products, and so many illegal refineries have been dumped in the creeks. And we are not relenting in our surveillance on these illegal sites.”

  • NSCDC convicts eight vandals, arrest 30 in Edo

    NSCDC convicts eight vandals, arrest 30 in Edo

    The Edo command of the Nigeria Security and Civil defense Corps (NSCDC) said it has successfully convicted eight vandals and arrested a total of 30 from January 2015 to December 2015.

    The states commandant, Walter Akubuiroh disclosed this in Benin.

    He said aside the eight cases that were successfully prosecuted by the command; another 18 were ongoing at various courts within the same period.

    The commandant also said a total of 12 trucks of various capacities and eight J5 buses were loaded with, illegally refined crude were also seized within the same period.

    Akubuiroh said the level of vandalizing, especially that of pipeline have seen a reduction when compared to that of previous year.

    He expressed optimism that the command would work to see that pipeline vandalisation was brought to its lowest minimum if not completely eliminated.

    The commandant however stressed that the feat could only be achieved only with the corporation of communities where these pipeline passed through as well as the general public.

    He noted that the NSCDC was carrying out enlightenment programme aimed at making the public know that danger inherent in the act.

    He lauded the Federal Government efforts at getting communities more involved in the area of pipeline protection and to share information with the NSCDC when there was course to.

    “The peculiar case with pipeline security is that some of these communities see pipeline vandalisation as their own way of making a living. They feel that pipeline vandalisation is their won way of enjoying the national cake.

    “That is why in some community, they build a fence around vandals. They protect these people because of the little they are making out of this.

    “Another challenge is these pipelines are in difficult terrain that our men don’t readily or find it difficult to access.

    “We have been carrying out a lot of enlightenment programme to let people know the danger inherent in this act.

    “One thing they should know about the danger of this, is in the area of pollution.  We are making the communities realize that their economic lives are being destroyed by these vandals from the little they are given.

    “We want Nigerians to know that this is a pipeline vandalisation is a serious economic sabotage which is affecting the lives of the citizens of this country.

    “The resources that would have been channeled into the development of the country are forced into the hand of few individuals for their own selfish interest.

    “People should understand that act of vandalism is like stabbing yourself and stabbing the nation. It is like eating what you children will eat in generation to come,” he stated.

  • NSCDC arrests 40 suspected oil thieves in Bayelsa

    The Bayelsa State command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 40 suspected oil thieves and destroyed 106 “illegal” refineries.

    Its State Commandant Desmond Agu told reporters in Yenagoa, the state capital, that the corps achieved the feat within one year.

    Agu, who said the command recorded an appreciable success in the fight against oil theft and other illegalities during the year, noted that his men recovered 10 locally-made boats from suspected oil thieves.

    He named other items recovered from suspects as eight speedboats, one lorry, 10 pumping machines, 20 boat engines, six motorbikes and bus.

    Others are: four wheel barrows, 10 hoses, 55,000 litres of Automated Gas Oil (AGO) and 5,000 litres of DPK (diesel).

    Agu said the NSCDC arraigned seven suspects for alleged oil theft, adding that they were on trial in courts.

    The commandant said 16 suspects were remanded in prison custody while four vehicles and boats were forfeited to the government.

    He said: “The command had an active collaboration with multinational companies in safeguarding their facilities and pipelines across the state and beyond.

    “We are also active in internal security in the state. We are a component of the state security outfit, Operation Doo-Akpo, in conjunction with the police, to provide internal security.

    “We also have a quick intervention force at the state headquarters for distress calls for any person in distress and a Disaster Management Unit, which responds to emergency situations, such as accidents and fire outbreaks.”

    Thanking God for a successful year, Agu urged the Federal Government to provide more equipment and logistics support for the NSCDC.

  • NSCDC arrests 40 oil thieves in Bayelsa 

    NSCDC arrests 40 oil thieves in Bayelsa 

    The Bayelsa State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 40 oil thieves and destroyed 106 illegal refineries in the state.

    The NSCDC Commandant, Mr. Desmond Agu, who spoke in Yenagoa said the corps achieved the feat within one year.

    Agu who said that the Command recorded an appreciable success in its fight against oil theft and other illegalities during the year, added that his men recovered 10 locally-made boats from suspected oil thieves.

    He named other items recovered from the suspects as eight speedboats, one lorry, 10 pumping machines, 20 boat engines, six motor biggest and one bus.

    Others were four wheel barrows, 10 hoses, 55,000 litres of Automated Gas Oil (AGO) and 5000 litres of DPK.

    The Commandant said the corps arraigned seven suspects who were undergoing trials in various courts.

    He said 16 suspects were remanded in prison custody, adding that four vehicles and boats were forfeited to the government.

    He said: “The command had an active collaboration with multi-national companies in safeguarding their facilities and pipelines across the state and beyond.

    “We are also active in internal security in the state; we are a component of the State security outfit, operation Doo-Akpo in conjunction with the Police in providing internal security in the state.

    “We also have a quick intervention force at the state Headquarters for distress calls for any person in distressed situation and a Disaster Management Unit that responds to emergency situations like vehicular accidents and fire outbreak.”

    While thanking God, the federal and State governments for a successful year, Agu asked the Federal Government to provide more equipment and logistic support for the corps.

     

  • Stop conveying vandals’ loot, NSCDC boss tells drivers

    Stop conveying vandals’ loot, NSCDC boss tells drivers

    Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps’ (NSCDC) Commandant General Alhaji Abdullahi Muhammadu has warned commercial drivers and motorcyclists to avoid using their vehicles to convey products stole by suspected vandals.

    He said the owners of such vehicles caught carrying such illegal products risk being treated as accomplices and might forfeit their vehicles or motorbikes to the Federal Government, if found guilty.

    Muhammadu gave the warning through the Commandant in charge of Assets Monitoring for the Zone F of the NSCDC, Solomon Olasupo, after the monitoring tour of the Ondo State Command.

    The zone comprises Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states.

    Olasupo said the Commandant General noted that there was the need for the commercial drivers and motorcyclists to be more vigilant in carrying out their daily businesses with people.

    He added that vehicles seized while carrying illegal products would be part of the exhibit to tender in court during prosecution.

    According to him, perpetrators might want to seize the opportunity of the celebrations to carry out their nefarious activities.

    He revealed that some vandals, who knew the “terrain of their operations opt to use commercial transport means to convey their ill-gotten products so that when they are caught, they can easily abandon the vehicles and the driver”.

    He said: “These vandals are crafty. They will not use their vehicles so that it will be difficult to trace them. Besides that, they engage in such practices so that they can minimise their losses.”

  • Yuletide: Security beefed up nationwide

    Yuletide: Security beefed up nationwide

    As Nigerians begin Christmas and New Year celebrations, security agencies have mapped out measures to protect lives and property nationwide.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Police, the Nigerian Navy, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have deployed their personnel to provide security to citizens at worship centres, motor parks, recreation centres, the Creeks, waterways and Shopping Malls, among others, during the period.

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, had directed all Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Command Commissioners of Police to ensure adequate security for travelers, picnickers, among others, across the country, before, during and after the celebrations.

    According to a statement issued by the Force Spokesman, Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Olabisi Kolawole, the IGP also directed Command Commissioners of Police to “personally’’ ensure that worship centres, recreation centres, motor parks and shopping malls, among others, were adequately and effectively protected.

    It said Arase warned all citizens to be vigilant while receiving gifts from unknown persons that may pose as friends during the season, to avoid explosive-laden hampers as gifts.

    The Nigerian Navy, too, said in Port Harcourt that it had ordered deployment of troops to strategic locations in the creeks and waterways to enable people travel freely.

    Rear Adm. Atiku Abdulkadir, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command, told NAN that the deployment was to ensure safety of travelers before, during and after the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

    “We have ordered our Commanders of the naval bases and Commanding Officers of Forward Operating Bases to deploy patrol boats in the creeks and waterways.

    “We have also deployed ships at mouth of the channel to ensure more presence on sea at waterways.

    “The navy is also partnering with communities to get information on potential suspects or those who are intending to perpetrate criminality in their area.

    “All these activities are to ensure that our people enjoy their Christmas and New Year celebrations without fear of being molested by hoodlums,” he said.

    Abdulkadir also said that the Navy was currently collaborating with the Operation Pulo Shield and the police to ensure a hitch-free festive season.

    The flag officer called on people to corporate with naval personnel while traveling on creeks and waterways.

    In Cross River also, the Commander of 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Calabar, Brig.-Gen. Sani Mohammed, said he had deployed his men to strategic areas in the state to provide security.

    According to Mohammed, the joint task force in the state has witnessed a tremendous achievement with the presence of Army personnel.

    “We are in Christmas period and it is our responsibility to provide security for the people of Cross River and tourists.

    “Giving the hospitable nature of Calabar people, the number of tourists keeps increasing because of the carnival, so we are working in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure a peaceful celebration.

    “We will continue to carry out security functions at all time and to ensure that the state is peaceful,’’ he said.

    Similarly, the Police Commissioner in Cross River, Mr. Henry Fadairo, said that the state Police Command had launched an offensive against cultism and other criminal activities in the state.

    Fadairo said that the campaign was launched with a view to ensure a hitch- free Christmas celebration in the state.
    According to him, the operation will last up to and even after the New Year celebrations.

    “We have enough security men that would ensure a hitch-free Christmas and New Year celebrations in the state.

    “Cross River is a peaceful state and I can tell you that there is low rate of criminal activities here.

    “We will continue to discharge our professional duties to ensure that anyone who engages in any criminal activities is caught and dealt with,’’ he said.

    Fadairo also said that the command had deployed police personnel to festive areas in the state such as the Calabar Carnival, Christmas Village, Calabar Municipality ground, the museum and others.

    In the same vein, the Cross River Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), said it had deployed its intelligence and uniform personnel to strategic locations in the state to provide adequate security during the yuletide.

    Mr Solomon Eremi, NSCDC Public Relations Officer in the state, told NAN that officers and men of the Corps were up and doing to ensure that the Christmas and New Year celebrations were hitch-free.

    “The Command has deployed intelligence and uniform officers to different locations of the state to ensure peaceful Christmas and New Year celebrations in the state.

    “One of the objectives of the corps is to protect lives and property of the civil populace.

    “I want to assure the peace-loving people of Cross River and tourists that the state Command of the NSCDC is on alert to respond to all security challenges within this carnival period and beyond,’’ Eremi said.

    He advised the people of the state and tourists to be law abiding, adding that the corps was a friendly force.

    Similarly, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 6, Calabar,Mr Baba Bolanta, has warned trouble makers to steer clear of the buffer zone on the border between Cross River and Ebonyi.

    The buffer zone was created by the Federal Government at Adadama in Cross River and Amagu Ikwo in Ebonyi against intrusion on the border between the two States.

    It was also meant to forestall hostilities in the lingering bloody clashes over farmland by the two neighbouring communities.

    Bolanta said that police helicopters had been deployed around the buffer zone for security surveillance.

    He said that the police was increasingly collaborating with other security agencies for effective crime control within the zone which comprises Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi and Rivers.

    “Another strategy we have put in place is to increase our collaboration with other security agencies like the military, Department of Security Service (DSS), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), among others.

    “We are doing intelligence policing where communities are brought into partner with us.

    “Traditional institutions, Church leaders, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and all other allied unions are involved,” he said.

    Bolanta also said that the ban on fireworks and unpermitted/unlawful procession during the yuletide was in force.

    He said that police personnel were also on ground to thwart any untoward occurrence before, during and after the Calabar carnival.

    And in Akwa Ibom, the state Command Police Command has also assured of adequate security of all visitors, residents and holiday makers during the yuletide.

    The Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Cordelia Nwawe, told NAN in Uyo that the police would be on surveillance and patrol for 24 hours at strategic places to nib all criminality in the bud.

    She urged residents of the state and visitors to make use of the emergency phone numbers as advertised in the police official leaflets to give useful information for prompt action.

    “We understand that ember months are usually very troublesome period.

    This yuletide, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Murtala Mani, has alerted all officers and men that they must be on a 24-hour alert and put the security of the state on top priority,” Nwawe said.

    Nwawe said that during the festive period, the police would be at all strategic places in the state to secure lives and property.

    She said that the command had done enough awareness campaign through radio, television, flyers and leaflets on personal security by members of the public.

    The Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the state, Mr Emmanuel Ojeniyi, said his men would be on patrol in all the 31 local government areas of the state to ensure adequate protection of lives and property.

    He advised people to maintain peace among themselves, adding that without peace there would be no development.

    He said that undercover officers and men of the command would be at areas like motor parks, relaxation centres and shopping complex to ensure smooth and peaceful celebration.

    “What we are doing now is just to make sure that we go to areas like parks and relaxation centres where people gather in order to protect them.

    And in Kano State, the Police in the area have intensified patrol within and outside Kano metropolis to ensure security of lives and property during the Yuletide.

    The Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Magaji Majiya, said the Commissioner of Police, Mr Muhammad Katsina, had directed that the patrol should also cover all the highways in the state.

    Majiya said the commissioner also directed that the exercise be a continuous one.

    “The State Police Commissioner, Mr Muhammad Katsina, has directed that patrol within the metropolis and on our highways should continue on daily basis.

    “This is necessary in order to ensure that vehicles plying the roads or coming in and going out of the state do so without any fear,” he said.

    The Police Spokesman said the command would also deploy security personnel to all strategic places such as Mosques, Churches and recreational centres to provide security during the festive period.

    “We have made arrangements to deploy plain cloth security operatives at all the strategic places with a view to ensuring effective surveillance at the places,” he said.

    In the same vein, the Katsina State Police Command has set-up a quick response squad (QRS) in order to deal with any breach of the peace during the festive season.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, ASP Aminu Sadiq, who disclosed this, called on the people of the state to go about their lawful business and report any suspicious movement to the nearest Police Station.

    Also in Anambra, the Police Commissioner in the state, Mr Hosea Karma, has reassured the people of the state that the command would mount security checks in all “flash points’’ in the state to ensure peaceful Christmas and New Year celebrations.

    Karma also urged the people to be vigilant before, during and after the festivities and report any suspicious movements to the nearest police station

  • NSCDC fortifies security in Southern Ijaw

    NSCDC fortifies security in Southern Ijaw

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Sunday, deployed more personnel in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, for the rescheduled governorship election in the area.

    The election was cancelled on Saturday following widespread violence that marred the poll.

    The state Commandant, NSCDC, Mr. Desmond Agu, said the order to send more security personnel to Southern Ijaw was issued by the Commandant-General, Abdullahi Bala Muhammadu through the Deputy Commandant-General in charge of Operation, Dr. Nnamdi Nwinyi.

    Agu said on receiving the order,  he sent three deputy commandants, five assistant commandants, 1000 ranks and file to the area for supervision and monitoring.

    He said he also deployed sniffer dogs to guarantee hitch-free elections without giving chances to any act of sabotage.

    “All necessary security architecture and arsenals have been deployed by the various security forces to forestall peace among the people,” he said.

    He appealed to the people of the state to be united saying there was no need for bloodshed and mayhem.

    Agu warned parents to advise their children to stay away from acts of political thuggery and hooligasim.

    He cautioned political actors, parties and gladiators to obey the electoral law and play by the rules.

  • NSCDC arrests 70, convicts 7 vandals in Akwa Ibom

    NSCDC arrests 70, convicts 7 vandals in Akwa Ibom

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Akwa Ibom Command, said on Sunday that it had arrested 70 suspected vandals and convicted seven of them between June and November.

    The state Commandant of the Corps, Mr Emmanuel Ojeniyi, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Uyo.

    Ojeniyi said that the seven persons were convicted for pipeline vandalism and adulteration of petroleum products.

    He said that the command had 36 cases pending in court and expressed hope that it would secure more convictions from the cases.

    “I want to say that within this short period, we have made 70 arrests and secured seven convictions and we still have 36 cases pending in court.

    “We have also investigated 19 cases and will soon charge the suspects to court while 17 cases have been abandoned for lack of witnesses,” he said.

    The corps commandant also said that during the period, the command impounded some trucks that were abandoned by the pipeline vandals when its personnel confronted them.

    Ojeniyi said that the command would continue to collaborate with other security agencies to fight vandals in the state.

    He expressed optimism that with such cooperation, oil theft, petroleum product adulteration and vandalism of electricity installations would effectively be curtailed in the state.

    He said that the activities of the hoodlums had hindered the country’s economic growth and required the collective efforts of all citizens to eradicate the menace.

    The commandant said that NSCDC was firmly committed to enforcing government policies and programmes in accordance with the law to deal with the problem.

    He urged Akwa Ibom residents to regard security agents as their friends and volunteer useful information on the activities of criminals to the command for prompt action.