Unbelievable: 7 Illegal Refineries Destroyed By The NSCDC In Edo

Seven illegal refineries were destroyed in Edo State between January and November 2013, Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Edo Command has disclosed.

Soeaking in Benin City, Mr Chike Ikpeawonwu, said 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.

According to him, 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,” Ikpeawonwu said

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While decrying the activities of vandals in the state, the commandant, however, said lack of logistics posed enormous challenges to effective operation of the command.

Ikpeawonwu, who said the command was poised to curtail the activities of vandals therefore called for synergy between NSCDC and other security agencies in the state for effective war against pipeline vandalism.

The coomandant noted, however, 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.