By Tola Gbadamosi

Determined to rid the state of economic saboteurs, the marine patrol team of the Anti-vandalization Unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, Ondo State Command has arrested three suspects at Awoye, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state at about on Tuesday January 10, 2024.

The hoodlums arrest followed the state Commandant’s marching order, Mr Ibiloye Oluyemi, that the State will never be a safe haven for criminal elements as the Command is poised to rid the State of economic saboteurs.

According to a statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSC, Daniel Aidamenbor, “Upon the Commandant’s matching order and based on credible Intelligence, the marine patrol team of the Anti-vandalization Unit swung into action, intercepted and arrested the suspected criminals.

They include; Omoetan Iseoluwa Innocent (M) aged 30 years residing at number 22 Ayerin compound , okoriwo, Ese Odo, Ogbodo Adeshina (M) aged 19 years and Ajana Good Kehinde (M) aged 21 living at Haazana Compound , Arogbo.

They were arrested in conveyance of a 40 Horse Power engine and a wooden boat containing about 4,000 liters of illegally refined Petroleum Products suspected to be Automated Gas Oil (AGO) concealed in cellophane bags.

“At the expiration of a diligent investigation the suspects would be charged to Court while the exhibits would be forfeited and proceeds remitted to the Federal Government coffers.

The new helmsman, however issued an ultimatum to those perpetrating such nefarious act to either desist or face the full wrath of the law.

According to the statement, Commandant Oluyemi warned all criminal minded person sabotaging the economy of the nation to have a rethink, adding that the Command under his watch has zero tolerance for any act that constitutes illegal dealings in petroleum products and other allied offences.

His words: “Let me on this note, appeal to the good people of Ondo State not to relent in collaborating with the NSCDC by providing actionable and timely information that would lead to the arrest and prosecution of those that are stealing our collective resources”, he appealed.

It would be recalled, that the new NSCDC Boss had earlier reiterated his commitment to safeguard all critical National Assets and Infrastructure, Disaster Management, Training, Supervision and Monitoring all Private Guard Companies, Protection of Agro Allied Industries and mediation between Farmers and Herders to forestall malicious damage of farm crops amongst others.