NSCDC thwarts petroleum pipeline vandalisation attempts

Men of the anti-vandal unit of the NSCDC on Saturday intercepted two vehicles carrying gallons which were intended to be used to carry stolen petroleum products.

Attempt by vandals to sabotage petroleum pipelines in Otte, Kwara State was foiled by men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Men of the anti-vandal unit of the NSCDC during patrol on Saturday, January 3, intercepted two vehicles carrying gallons which were intended to be used to carry stolen petroleum products.

Speaking to newsmen in Illorin, the State Commandant of the Corps, Obiekwe Augustine, revealed that at about 11pm, the command’s Anti-vandals Unit, on their normal 24 hours NNPC pipeline surveillance patrol along Afon, Otte and Gambari in Asa local government area of the state busted an attempted vandalisation of petroleum pipeline.

“As our men were coming out of the pipeline, they saw two vehicles approaching the pipeline.Immediately the suspect saw our men, they opened fire on our men and we retaliated. Sensing the superiority of our arms, they abandoned their vehicles with registration number OYO AME 60 XA blue and LAGOS DB 732 FST white carrying 140 jerry cans each” Obiekwe said before adding that investigations are still on going to arrest the suspects.

The Kwara NSCDC boss thereafter called on the general public to assist the command with useful information to effectively combat pipeline vandals.