NSCDC destroys 7 illegal refineries in Edo

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Edo Command, said it destroyed seven illegal refineries in the state, between Jan. and Nov. 2013.

The Commandant of the corps in the state, Mr Chike Ikpeawonwu, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin.

Ikpeawonwu said that three of the refineries were destroyed in Iluoke and three in Agbede, both in Etsako West Local Government Area while one was destroyed at Abudu, in Orhionwon Local Government Area.

The commandant also disclosed that 25 trucks loaded with crude from vandalised pipelines, were confiscated by the command within the same period.

He noted that 15 of the confiscated trucks had, however, been destroyed, before the directive stopping the burning of seized trucks with crude was issued.

“There is a standing order from Abuja that any truck impounded should not be burnt again, in order to avoid economic waste,’’ he said.

Ikpeawonwu who decried the activities of vandals in the state, said that the command was poised to curtail their activities.

The commandant however said that lack of logistics posed enormous challenges to effective operation of the command.

He called for synergy between NSCDC and other security agencies in the state for effective war against pipeline vandalism.

Ikpeawonwu said that one way of reducing pipeline vandalism in the country, was by building more refineries.

“Our mandate is to protect government critical infrastructures and that is exactly what we are doing now.

“Nigeria is losing billions of naira to pipeline vandalism and we must ensure that activities of these vandals are contained.

“It is very sad to know that individuals can sabotage government efforts just to get themselves rich through pipeline vandalism,’’ he said.

Ikpeawonwu further said that the command was currently handling 10 cases on pipeline vandalism, adding that only one had been concluded. (NAN)