Crude Oil Pipeline Vandals Adopt New Method In Abia

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has uncovered a new method adopted by vandals to steal crude oil and other petroleum products in Abia.

Mr Ben Dikuro, the state NSCDC Commandant, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Umuahia.

He said that the vandals perforate pipelines and install verves through which they siphon petroleum products into waiting tankers and canoes.

“Before now, the method they used was to break the pipe lines from where they siphon crude oil; but now they perforate pipelines and fix verves which provides more opportunity to cart away huge quantities daily,’’ he said.

Dikuro said that the new method was capable of robbing the nation of huge amount of revenue accruing from the petroleum sub-sector, if not strictly checked.

He said that the corps had recovered burnt vehicles and other items used by vandals to perfect the unwholesome act.

“Since we learnt of the new method, my command commenced a 24-hour patrol along the pipelines, and this made us to discover places where they dug ground and install verves at Nkali and Owaza communities,’’ he said.

He said that the command had alerted the management of Shell Petroleum Development Company, Port Harcourt, on the ugly situation, pointing out that it was the company’s pipelines that were affected.

He regretted that the vandals often carry out their activities at night which made it difficult to unmask the culprits.

Dikuro warned residents of the areas against indulging in vandalism of pipelines, stressing that anyone caught would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“I wonder if the people doing these have the permission of their relatives to commit crime.

“When anyone is caught, the relatives and sympathizers will come to beg; but I tell you that will not change the situation,’’ he said. (NAN)

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