The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) FCT command arrested six persons on Thursday for allegedly vandalising petroleum pipelines in the Gwagwalada area of the territory.

The FCT Commandant of the corps, Olusola Odumosu who briefed journalists at the scene of the crime, said the suspects aged between 20 and 32, vandalised the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) pipelines

He said the command’s anti-vandal squad acted on credible intelligence and a tip-off concerning suspicious activities around the pipelines.

According to him, recovered exhibits included two motorcycles, two locally fabricated firearms, four 25-litre jerrycans filled with petroleum motor spirit (PMS), two empty jerrycans, a shovel, and hand drilling machines.

He added that the suspects were arrested while scooping and loading PMS into jerrycans and plastic bags from pipelines punctured with drilling machines.

He further said that preliminary investigation and interrogations showed that the suspects had studied the geography of the land and knew the exact spots with buried pipelines and fuel residue.

He stated, “An indigene of Pagada I Village in the council ward where the crime occurred allegedly invited two of his friends from the Lambata area to participate in the crime.

“It was also revealed that three vigilantes were involved and they allegedly aided the criminal activity by providing support and security cover for the vandals to operate freely.”

The commandant reaffirmed that efforts were ongoing to identify, trace and apprehend other syndicate members who may be involved in the act.

He said that the Nigerian Petroleum Storage Company had been informed of the vandalised pipes for further actions and sealing of the pipes.

Mr Odumosu reiterated that the corps would not condone any form of oil pipeline vandalism, economic sabotage and theft of petroleum products.

“We condemn in strong terms any form of vandalism in the FCT, be it manhole covers, crash barriers, bridge aluminium, streetlights, armoured cables, transformers, railway sleepers and so on.

“It is a deliberate and intentional act of economic sabotage intended to undermine, damage and cripple our nation’s economy.

“The activities of these vandals do not only contribute to product scarcity and environmental degradation but also put the lives of residents and other agricultural activities within the area at risk of fire explosions,” he added.

He warned that anyone caught destroying public infrastructure for their selfish economic gains would be dealt with according to the extant law.

The commandant called on residents to provide credible information to the corps, assuring them that appropriate actions would be taken.

“When you see something, say something and we will do something,” he said.

Mr Odumosu further urged community leaders to sensitise villagers to the need to see security operatives as their friends and provide timely credible information as when necessary.

“Any information you give us is safe and criminals will be dealt with duly,” he noted.

Meanwhile, the councillor representing Dobi Ward where the crime occurred, Gado Shuaib, thanked the corps and members of the community for their efforts in ensuring that vandalism was eradicated from the community

The councillor advised community members to desist from any form of vandalism, stressing that he would not bail anyone apprehended.

The village head, Abubakar Ibrahim, assured that henceforth more intelligence reports would be provided to the corps to ensure the arrest of other criminals perpetrating the act in the community.

He assured of robust collaboration between the community and security agencies.

(NAN)