By Francis Ogar
Uyo
No fewer than 30 suspected oil thieves are claimed to have been caught in Akwa Ibom state and are alleged to be currently being prosecuted by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).
The State Commandant of the Corps, Mr. Pedro Ideba, disclosed this while interacting with newsmen in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, of the state.
He explained that the suspected oil thieves were all arrested at Ukpenkang Beach in Ibeno Local Government Area, between January and April, this year adding that eight of them were arrested by the navy, seven by the army while the corps also arrested fifteen.
“The trial of the suspects is at different stages and we know that the law will take its course. Our efforts have been yielding positive results and we have started securing convictions, which I believe, will serve as deterrent to others.”
Ideba further said that the command was determined to stop the vandalism of pipelines and electrical installations in the country, stressing that they were collaborating with other sister agencies to fight crime in the board, and that such synergy was essential to combat crime in the country.
The commandant described oil theft and pipeline vandalism as sabotage against the nation, and enumerated some of the challenges facing the command to include lack of vehicles for conveying suspects to court and towing vans.
