Seven suspected petroleum pipelines and rail track vandals have been arrested by the Bauchi State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.
Another suspect in possession of fake dollar notes was also arrested. The suspects were arrested from different locations across the state.
The State Commandant, Ilelaboye Oyejide, while parading the suspects at the Command Headquarters on Thursday said five of the suspects were accused of vandalizing petroleum pipelines, two others for vandalizing railway sleepers, and one other for being in possession of fake dollar notes.
The Commandant said his men acted on credible intelligence which led to the arrest of the suspects, adding that they will be charged in court after investigations.
“We got information from our people in the field that some people were vandalizing railway sleepers at one village known as Dangubi village along Gombe road.”
“Immediately we moved to the area and luck ran against them. The people involved were actually four but we were able to arrest 2 namely: Musa Gambo, 20 years and Mohammed Musa, 20 years. We are investigating their case and after the completion of the investigation, we are going to charge them to court accordingly”, he said.
Oyejide added that the second category of paraded suspects were those involved in the vandalization of petroleum products at one village, known as Kengari village along Gombe road under the Bauchi State local government.
He said they were handed over to the command by the Nigerian army of artillery, Bauchi State.
Exhibits recovered from the suspects include four motorcycles, 25 litres of petroleum and ten empty jerry cans.
The state’s Civil Defense boss said they were actually caught in the act where they were allegedly siphoning the petroleum product.
Oyejide stated further that the third category involved an individual involved in counterfeit dollars.
He said the suspect was apprehended with 2000 fake dollars at his residence, following information provided by a woman to whom he had previously given counterfeit 100-dollar bills.
He warned that individuals contemplating the vandalism of national infrastructure should reconsider their actions, as they will not escape unpunished under his supervision.
