By Tony Ezimakor 
Snr. Correspondent Abuja 
Renewed offensive launched by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) in collaboration with the Joint Task Force (JTF) has led to the destruction of over 259 illegal refineries in the eight oil producing states in the Niger Delta.
Commandant General of corps, Ade Abolurin, disclosed this on Wednesday.
Briefing newsmen during a quarterly meeting of senior officers and state commanders of the corps in Abuja, Abolurin revealed that a crackdown launched by the Anti-vandalism Unit of the corps has within the period under review resulted in the arrest of 473 persons, 427 of who have been successfully persecuted.
According to the figures released by the agency, Rivers State with 168 topped the list of illegal refineries followed by Akwa Ibom State with 88.
Abolurin, who declared a fresh war against oil theft and vandals, urged the state commanders to take the offensive to their bases, stressing that the corps will not sleep until the enemies of the economy were brought to justice.
“It is our duty to protect critical infrastructure and ensure that enemies of the economy do not continue their brigandage and destroy our nation. This meeting is, therefore, strategic and important for us to re-strategise and share experiences on how best to contain the menace,” stated Abolurin.
He noted that both the vandals and oily thieves have continued to change strategies, including devising ways and means of evading the law. Consequently, he said the NSCDC was working with the office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice on legal issues so as tighten the noose against those arrested.
Via: http://dailyindependentnig.com/
