The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Rivers Command has confirmed that the its exhibit yard located at Iriebe Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state has been razed down with fire.
The exhibit yard contained several impounded trucks of suspected Automotive Gas Oli (AGO) which a part of it had been forfeited by Court order and were to be auctioned .
In a statement signed and made available to newsmen, the Command Public Relations Officer, DSC Olufemi Ayodele said that the exhibit yard was allotted to the Rivers State Command over a decade ago as a result of the influx of many trucks impounded in connection with illegal bunkering, illegal dealings in petroleum products, oil pipeline vandalism, oil theft amongst others.
He said the then government directed that the impounded trucks located around the Command Headquarters Olu Obasanjo way be moved to a more spacious environment as there were over congestion and disruption of vehicular movements in the area.
Speaking with newsmen at scene of the incident, the NSCDC Assistant Commandant General in charge of Zone L covering Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River State, ACG James Bassey noted that the NSCDC Rivers State Command had intensified efforts in the fight against vandalism and oil theft leading to the arrests and prosecution of suspected bunkerers and their trucks impounded.
The NSCDC Zonal Commander who spoke alongside Commanders of Rivers State EFCC and Federal Fire Service said the exhibit yard was jointly owned by the NSCDC and EFCC.
He however hinted that the cause of the fire incident can only be ascertained at the expiration of a thorough investigation but noted that the activities of saboteurs cannot be undermined as 5 suspects were arrested by the Command Intelligence and Anti-vandal Team who cordoned the entire area.
On his part, the Rivers State Commandant, Abu Tambuwal affirmed that the fight against vandalism and illegal dealings in petroleum products is non-negotiable even as investigation had commenced, noting that anyone arrested in connection with the fire incident would be made to face the full wrath of the law. He stressed that the Command under his watch remains undeterred but resolute and would continue to collaborate with relevant Security agencies in tackling the menace of illegal oil dealings in the state.
“Gentlemen, obviously this occurrence is an act of sabotage by evil minded persons who want to get back to the NSCDC at all cost; We will not be deterred in our dogged and resolute fight against vandalism of oil pipelines and illegal dealings in petroleum products. We thank all the first responders: the Federal and State Fire Services, the fire fighters unit from Shell Petroleum Company and everyone who collaborated with the NSCDC and EFCC in curtailing the spread of the inferno across neighboring properties. The need for stronger synergy amongst security agencies is very paramount, most especially in the area of intelligence and information sharing as this would definitely enhance the security architecture of the state,” Tambuwal said.
