The Benue command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 11 suspected vandals of NNPC pipelines at the Apir Depot in Makurdi.
On Friday, NSCDC Commandant Yakubu Ibrahim showed journalists the extent of the damage to the pipeline (Yola line) caused by the vandals.
He explained that the suspects were apprehended on May 14, following credible intelligence and the deployment of a team from the anti-vandal and rapid response squad units.
“On reaching the scene that day, the vandals, who probably got wind of our men’s coming, went into hiding.
“That day some of their working equipment, two shovels, one small hoe, one red Jincheng motorcycle and 16 pieces of 10 feets NNPC pipelines were recovered from them.
“However, today luck ran out on them and they were caught in the act,’’ he said.
Mr Ibrahim said that such massive destruction of national assets had been going on for a while, and no resident of the Apir community reported the matter.
He alleged that they were complicit in the activities of the vandals.
“We have farmers, residents, youths and community leaders in this area and the act has gone on for months.
“They chose to remain silent, so they are accomplices in this crime and they cannot go scot-free.
“We will not rest until we arrest the masterminds of this crime because they are no longer satisfied with stealing what is in the pipeline, but now digging out the whole pipeline to sell them for peanuts.
“Whoever is involved in this dastardly act is out to knock down the economy of the nation so he must be brought to book,’’ he said.
He said the command has deployed plain clothes officers to keep surveillance on the pipeline, adding that they would carry out periodic raids in the area to forestall further activities of vandals.