NSCDC Anti-Vandal Squads raid black market sellers

dimeji akinloye

May 2, 2015 11:51 AM

According to a statement of the NSDC, the squads have started raiding the illegal hide-outs of those involved in hoarding and diversion of petrol.

Petrol black market sellers await buyers in Ogun State.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it has begun the arrest of illegal oil marketers in the wake of the lingering fuel scarcity in the country.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Corps Public Relations Officer (PRO), Emmanuel Okeh, on Friday, May 1 in Abuja.

He said that the Commandant-General of the Corps, Dr. Ade Abolurin, has directed the corps Anti-Vandal Squad to start the raid and arrest of all illegal oil dealers and black marketers in line with the NSCDC's mandate.

"The Controller-General has directed that all miscreants and those involved in hoarding of the product thereby causing artificial scarcity in order to sell at exorbitant prices should be arrested and prosecuted accordingly," the statement said.

He said that the exercise was aimed at ensuring sanity and availability of the product at all filling stations.

Okeh said that the corps’ Anti-Vandal Squads have since commenced raiding of the illegal hide-outs of those involved in hoarding and diversion of the product and expressed optimism that things would soon return to normal.

He also decried the activities of vandals on the nation's pipelines and urged host communities to cooperate and report any of those involved in this nefarious activities to the agency.

"The only way to overcome the menace of vandalism is when the community members and stakeholders come together to build synergy, cooperate and partner by sharing information and intelligence in order to clamp down on vandals and those involved in the illegal activity," he said.

He said that the commandant-general has also been meeting with officials of the Ministry of Power and power investors with a view to finding a lasting solution to vandalism of facilities.

Okeh reiterated the commitment of the NSCDC to the protection of the nation's critical infrastructure, to ensure optimum performance.

dimeji akinloye