The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps says it has arrested 50 persons in Imo State over pipeline vandalization between September 23, 2020, and March 1, 2021.
The Imo State NSCDC Commandant, Danjuma Elisha stated this while addressing newsmen in Owerri on Tuesday as part of activities marking the International Civil Defence Day.
The day which comes every March 1 is set aside by the International Civil Defence Organization to symbolise honour, prestige and the overall importance of civil protection.
Speaking on the theme, ‘Strong Civil Protection to Preserve the National Economy’, Elisha described petroleum pipeline vandalism as a menace that had negatively affected Nigeria’s economy, thus the need to checkmate it.
He said that the Command had made myriads of arrests including the arrest of 50 pipeline vandals in a bid to avert crime and criminality as well as preserve the country’s economy since he took over as Commandant on September 23, 2020.
He said, “The Command has myriads of arrests to her credit as part of efforts to avert crime and criminality.
“Under my watch, we have arrested 50 petroleum pipeline vandals. Pipeline vandalism is a menace and must not be allowed to cripple the national economy”.
He, however, added that the Command celebrated the Day under the sub-theme, ‘Securing the Civil Populace in a Clean Environment’, a coinage of the Command to emphasize the importance of cleanliness to the lives of the populace.
He, therefore, led officers of the Command in a cleanup exercise of Owerri and its environs, as according to him, a preserved national economy can only thrive in a clean environment.
He further said that the year 2020 was largely successful despite the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic and its ravaging effect on the economy.
He further stated that in 2021, ICDO with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland would celebrate its 90th anniversary, making it one of the oldest international organizations in the world.
He, however, enjoined the general public to be law-abiding and support the activities of the NSCDC for desired results.
PUNCH
