The Lagos State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have paraded 23 suspects, including 5 Togolese, allegedly involved in illegal bunkering of petroleum products, between January and February 2015.
The suspects were arrested by the Nigerian Navy at various points on the high sea and within Lagos waters, before they were handed over to the NSCDC.
A total of 378 drums, each of 250 litres, containing petroleum products were recovered during the operations.
Also paraded were 14 suspects involved in vandalism of electrical installations, illegal connections and by-passing of prepaid metres in Isolo, Abule Egba and Oworonsoki areas, belonging to the Ikeja Electric Distribution Company.
The NSCDC is a paramilitary agency of the Government of Nigeria that is commissioned to provide measures against threat and any form of attack or disaster against the nation and its citizenry.
The NSCDC was first introduced in May 1967 during the Nigerian Civil War within the then Federal Capital Territory for the purpose of sensitization and protection of the civil populace.
Parts of its statutory empowerment includes legal proceedings against any person or persons suspected to have committed an offence, maintain an armed squad in order to bear fire arms among others to strengthen the corps in the discharge of its statutory duties.
