Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ondo State Command, has arrested 12 suspects for alleged illegal oil bunkering, illegal mining, vandalisation, and stealing in the state.
NSCDC State Commandant, Oluyemi Ibiloye, while parading the suspects before newsmen on Thursday in Akure, explained that some of the suspects were arrested through a collaboration with the Nigerian Army.
Ibiloye said the command would ensure that the state was free from any form of criminality.
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According to him, three persons were arrested for oil theft (bunkering), five for illegal mining, three for stealing, and one for vandalisation of a national asset (transformer).
Ibiloye, who said that the command had convicted 10 criminals since his resumption in Ondo State in Jan. 2024, said the suspects would be charged to court as well, after investigations were concluded.
“As we promised that we would not allow our national wealth to be plundered by some selfish elements, today we are parading 12 suspects for various crimes.
“We were able to arrest three suspects dealing in illegal oil bunkering, while a Toyota Sienna car marked AKR 876 NP was recovered with 1,200 litres of illegal refined AGO.
“Five were arrested at Ogunlepa mining site in Odigbo Local Government on Sept. 3, 2024, while three lyster engines, grinding equipment, and metal plates were recovered.
“Moreover, two suspects were arrested for burglary and stealing, while a 20-year-old man was arrested for buying and receiving stolen goods.
“Meanwhile, a 35-year-old man was arrested in Ore with three sacks containing 33KVA aluminium cable concealed on a commercial vehicle going to Lagos State,” he said.
He, therefore, admonished the public to always give timely and useful information to security agencies to rid the state of criminality.
Oduga Promise, one of the suspects arrested for illegal oil bunkering, who claimed to be the driver, appealed for forgiveness and said he engaged in the act for money to repair his spoilt vehicle. (NAN)