AKPAN UMOH, Uyo
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested one suspect and impounded two vehicles conveying 4, 500 litres of suspected adulterated Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Akwa Ibom State.
Commandant of the NSCDC in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Suleiman Marafa, said this while speaking with newsmen at the command’s exhibits yard in Uyo on Wednesday.
Marafa added that the suspect, Mr Emaeyak Johnson, aged 36 was arrested by the operatives of the NSCDC Akwa Ibom State Command on 19 August along Ikot Abasi-Port Harcourt Highway while bringing in the products from Ogoni creeks in Rivers State Akwa Ibom State.
He noted that the second suspect abandoned his vehicle and fled when sighted operatives of NSCDC, adding that the two vehicles seized were; Toyota Camry with AKD 940 EG and ART 994 AA as its registration numbers.
According to him, the suspects concealed the stolen product in cellophane bags inside booths of their vehicle to bid security check.
He said that the activities of criminals and vandals were sabotaging the nation’s economy, stressing that the command would not give them any breathing space to operate in the state.
“The corps under my watch will not relent in hunting oil thieves and vandals who are sabotaging the Nigerian economy.
“We have increased surveillance and patrol in identified flashpoints. I want to assure you that it’s not going to be business as usual for criminals and enemies of the state.
“The suspect will be arraigned in court soonest, where he will answer for his crime. I want to appeal to our youths to desist from crime,” Mafara said.
Mafara assured the Akwa Ibom people and all Nigerians that the command would not relent on its mandate of protecting the government’s critical assets and infrastructure from vandals.
He warned criminals and vandals to rethink as the state was no longer conducive for economic saboteurs.
Insecurity may disrupt elections in many North-West states, governors tell Buhari
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, Nigerian Governors have expressed fears that the poll might not hold in several north-west states of Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara as a result of the prevalent insecurity in the geopolitical zone.
In an exclusive report by TheCable, the governors shared their perspectives with President Muhammadu Buhari in a policy brief.
The brief was part of the political economy situation review sent to the president in July 2022.
The governors asked the president to expedite actions on various promises to address insecurity, according to a copy of the review quoted by the newspaper.
To stem the tide of insecurity, the governors urged the president to take urgent steps to establish military bases in Birnin Gwari, Rijana, Kachia, and Mararaba Jos in Kaduna state and Kontagora and Gwada in Niger state.
“Expedite the establishment of military bases in Birnin Gwari, Rijana, Kachia and Mararraban Jos in Kaduna State, and Kontagora and Gwada in Niger State,” the review reads.
“Ensure promised simultaneous operations scheduled for July 1 but yet to commence are ordered and complied with IMMEDIATELY.
“Ensure operations prevent Boko Haram terrorists from attacking the Shiroro R2 transmission line (R1 already down and inaccessible), which will throw the entire north-west and Niger into darkness.
“Renewed appeal for a Theatre Command in the north-west along with deployment of MNJTF due to borders with Niger and Benin Republics that are major sources of arms and ammunition.”