The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Akwa Ibom Command, has arrested eight suspects, impounded five trucks and 142, 000 litres of illegally siphoned petroleum products this month.
The State Commandant of the Corps, Mr Adeyinka Ayinla, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Uyo on Tuesday.
Ayinla said that the suspects were arrested in two different locations in the state during routine patrol by operatives of the command.
“The NSCDC in the last three to four weeks has seized 142, 000 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products.
“I want the people of Akwa Ibom State and particularly criminals to desist from this act of economic sabotage.
“We are also monitoring unlicensed petroleum stations. As stakeholders we are going to partner with other sister security agencies to ensure that there are no adulterated petroleum products in the state.
“Some of arrested eight suspects have been charged to court while others are still under investigation and will be charged to court when investigation is completed,” Ayinla said.
The commandant also warned operators of private security companies who had not formalised their registration to do so immediately.
Ayinla stressed that effective next week, the command would clampdown on all such unregistered companies in the state.
“On my assumption barely a month ago, I called the Head of Department of Private Guards Companies and the Chairman of Private Guards Companies in the state.
“We had a meeting and I have told them my own mission and that we do not want any unregistered private guard company in the state.
“I can assure you that from next week we are going to close all unlicensed private security guard companies in the state.
“We should allow the registered private guard companies to work. Those people that are licensed should work very well so that they will know that the NSCDC is protecting them,” he said.
On protection of critical infrastructure in the state, Ayinla warned vandals to steer clear all government and public infrastructure as the command would deal decisively with anyone caught vandalising them.
