Not less than 26 persons involved in illegal bunkering activities were arrested and arraigned before the Port Harcourt High Court by the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps, Rivers State Division.
The break-down of persons arrested showed that 21 persons were Ghanaians while five persons were Nigerians.
Commandant Ogumbanwo R. O. the commandant in charge of Rivers State Nigeria Civil Defence division made the disclosure in a chat with journalists at the Corps office at Olusegun Obasanjo Road, Port Harcourt.
Commandant Ogumbanwo hinted that the 26 persons were arrested by the Corp officers in collaboration with other security agencies, the police, soldiers and EFCC, during a raid of the illegal activities hide-out at Abonnema, headquarters of Akuku Toru LGA of Rivers State.
According to him, “When I arrived Rivers State for this job my mandate was to ensure the protection of the petroleum pipeline which is the source of economy of Nigeria from Rivers State. I ensured that I have cordial relationship with the state government and that the corps in the state get all the necessary materials needed to get rid of the ugly activities of the hoodlums in the state.”
He said the Defence Corps in the state have been collaborating with other sister securities agencies to do wonderful works in the state, adding that a total number of 2,000 officers of the corps have been trained, including 500 Rivers indigenes among them.
The commandant further disclosed that the Defence Corps in the state want to engage other sister security agencies like the soldiers, police, EFCC, SSS for the arrest and prosecution of all engaged in the illegal activities, which would be of benefit to the Corps and entire the state.
Commandant Ogumbanwo who assured that all necessary things required to prosecute the lawless citizens brought before the Port Harcourt High Court are done and expressed belief that Justice would prevail at the end of the day.
Commenting on how many years the suspects will stay in prison if found guilty of the offence, the commandant noted that there are specific years for the sentence but it would be determined by the judiciary.
On how to apprehend lawless citizens involved in pipeline vandalization at the grassroots level, he noted that the Civil Defence officers are stationed in all the 23 LGAs of the state and would arrest those engaged in the illegal activities. ###
