The Anti-Vandal Squad of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oyo State Command, on Saturday arrested four suspected pipeline vandals.
The four suspects, Tijjani Abdulahi, 33; Sarafa Sanusi, 35; Wasiu Ajibola, 35; and Sunday Solomon, 40, were paraded at the Command Headquarters at Iyaganku, Ibadan, by the State Commandant, Mr Clement Adesuyi. Adesuyi, while parading the suspects, told newsmen that the suspects were arrested late Friday evening at Ajanla farms area in Sanusi Village along the Lagos/Ibadan Exress way.
He said that the alleged culprits had already tapped into an NNPC petroleum pipeline that passed through the area and were only waiting to convey the products when they were apprehended. The commandant said items recovered from the vandals included welding machine, drill, sledge hammer, hose clips, two rolls of hose lines, screw drivers, clamps and a generator.
Other items impounded were an unregistered Jincheng motorcycle and a Nissan Bluebird saloon car with registration number KJA 776 AG. Adesuyi further revealed that the arrest of the suspects would not have been possible without the help of men of the State Security Service (SSS) who provided surveillance and reinforcements.
While commending his men for the gallant performance, Adesuyi said that the command would leave no stone unturned in its determination to rid the state of vandals. He said that the suspects would be taken to court at the end of investigation for prosecution.
The NSCDC commandant appealed to the people to always inform the command of any suspicious movement in their neighbourhood, saying that they remain committed to the protection of lives and property. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the paraded suspects have denied involvement in the alleged crime. (NAN)