The Edo Command of the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) yesterday said it arrested 10 pipeline vandals between January and March.
The state Commandant, Mr. Chika Ikpeamonwu, said, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin, that eight of the suspects were arrested at Abudu in Orhionmwon local government area.
He said that the remaining two suspects were nabbed at Agbede in Etsako-West Local Government.
He said three out of those arrested had been taken to court for prosecution.
The commander disclosed that within the period, officials of the command also confiscated a tanker loaded with crude but that the driver escaped.
Ikpeamonwu, however, said the number of arrest in the first quarter showed a reduction in vandalism cases compared to the same period in 2013.
He attributed the reduction to new strategies adopted by the Command and effective collaboration with other security agencies, especially the Army.
“We will always beat them in their own game. You even see some of them carrying these products in marked vehicles and sometimes, trucks of ex-servicemen, to deceive unsuspecting security agencies and the public.’’ (NAN)
