The Bayelsa Command of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 11 suspected oil criminals and destroyed 29 illegal refineries in the state.

The state Commandant, NSCDC, Mr Desmond Agu, saidon Wednesdaythat the suspects had been paradedon Tuesdaywhile efforts were underway to prosecute them.

Agu said that the command also seized vehicles used for conveying the stolen products.

He explained that the suspects in a bid to escape being caught by security operatives, allegedly put the products suspected to be petrol and diesel in nylon bags and stored them in sacks.

He said that based on intelligence information, the operatives of the corps were able to apprehend the suspects and intercepted the stolen products.

He said that the suspects were held in the custody of the command for further interrogation and investigation.

He said that the suspects would be charged to court after preliminary investigation.

Agu said that the destruction of the 29 illegal refineries were carried out in Otuo, Oyeregbene, Igbomatoru, Azuzuama, Korokorosei and Ukparatubu communities of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

He reiterated the command’s zero tolerance for vandalism, sabotage of public facilities, particularly critical national assets, warning criminals to desist from such acts in their own interest.

He urged youths to look for lawful businesses to engage in.

Agu said that an effort to deter people from crime and keeping faith with the rule of law, the officers had been pursuing many cases against suspects in court.

“We have so far secured 19 convictions while we are pursuing 17 more cases at various stages in court. We hope to secure more convictions.

“We are therefore appealing to members of the public to assist the NSCDC to stamp out illegal oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism and sabotage of public infrastructure by giving us timely and useful information.

“We will treat such information with the highest level of confidentiality.

“We will not rest on our oars until we reduce to the barest minimum crimes against public peace and economic sabotage within our mandate.

“Apart from impacting negatively on the revenue of Bayelsa and the commonwealth of the nation, illegal oil bunkering and vandalism destroy the ecosystem and health of the nation,” Agu said.

He commended the Commandant General of the corps for providing the command with the required logistics and boosting the morale of officers and men to discharge their responsibility diligently and courageously.