The Edo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested a suspect in connection with the destruction of oil installations in the state.

The state Commandant of the NSCDC, Saidi Akintayo, announced the arrest on Wednesday in Benin City during a news conference.

Mr Akintayo spoke through the command’s spokesperson, SC Efosa Ogbebor.

He said that the suspect was arrested at the Ossiomo Manifold, OML 98, in the Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, the arrest followed patrol operation by operatives of the corps, along the CS1 route in Ologbo, outskirts of Benin on Christmas Day.

He said that the suspect was apprehended at about 2:00 p.m., while allegedly vandalising the oil wellhead.

He explained that three persons were involved in the act.

He said that on sighting our patrol team and after a warning shot was fired, two of the accomplices fled the scene, but the suspect was successfully arrested.

He disclosed that preliminary investigations identified one of the fleeing suspects as a casual worker and member of the host community.

He said that the third suspect was also believed to be from the Ologbo community.

He stated that the arrested suspect, alongside exhibits recovered from the scene, has been transferred to the state command headquarters, for detailed investigation.

He added that efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest other suspects.

“All those found culpable at the end of investigation will be charged to court. We will not relent in ensuring that economic saboteurs are brought to justice,” he said.

The NSCDC chief warned vandals and individuals involved in the destruction of critical national assets to desist from such acts or face the full weight of the law.

He reaffirmed the corps’ commitment to protecting oil and gas facilities across the state.

The NSCDC urged host communities and members of the public to support security agencies with timely and credible information to curb vandalism and other economic crimes. 

(NAN)