The disclosure was made by Mr. Eluyemi Eluwade, the Commandant of the NSCDC in Akwa Ibom, at a press briefing held at the command's headquarters in Uyo on Thursday.
According to Eluwade, the eight suspects were apprehended in the month of August as a result of routine operations conducted by the personnel of the Command.
According to his statement, the individuals in question were apprehended on charges of engaging in criminal conspiracy, committing acts of vandalism against essential infrastructure, and unlawfully appropriating public assets within the jurisdiction.
Since my previous interaction with the media in the previous month regarding our accomplishments in addressing criminal activities within our jurisdiction, additional achievements have been documented as we increase our endeavors to battle vandalism and unlawful activity in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.
On August 2nd, the NSCDC Anti-Vandals Squad apprehended two individuals and seized a navy blue Toyota Camry with the registration number SQ 694 KJA. The vehicle was found to contain 20 jerrycans, each holding 25 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), along with a hose, funnel, and three 20-litre buckets.
On August 18th, two individuals were apprehended for engaging in criminal conspiracy, vandalizing vital infrastructure, and pilfering public property at Mount Camel Hospital located in Akpa Utung village inside the Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area.
According to Eluwade, on August 24, a 39-year-old individual from Obot Akara LGA was apprehended on suspicion of engaging in the trafficking of a young woman. The current whereabouts of the aforementioned young woman has been located to Anambra.
According to the commandant, three further individuals were apprehended during the specified timeframe in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA for engaging in acts of vandalism and theft of PHEDC facilities, specifically copper cables and thunder arrestors.
According to his statement, all of the individuals under suspicion have admitted their involvement in the criminal act and willingly provided the Corps with valuable information to aid in the ongoing investigation.
According to Eluwade, the actions of vandals and criminals have the potential to negatively impact the Nigerian economy, since a nation aspiring for growth cannot tolerate such occurrences.
The commandant issued a cautionary statement to individuals engaged in criminal activities, including those involved in vandalizing government infrastructure, urging them to reform their behavior or else be subjected to the full extent of legal consequences.
The individual urged the citizens of Akwa Ibom to provide the command with reliable information that can effectively assist the Agency in carrying out its assigned tasks and fulfilling its constitutional obligations and responsibilities.
The commandant provided reassurance to the locals that after the inquiry is concluded, the suspects will be brought before the Court for arraignment. This measure is intended to uphold justice and serve as a deterrence to potential offenders.