Oil Vandals Escape From NSCDC Custody In Kogi

Five suspects arrested for pipeline vandalism have escaped from the custody of the Kogi State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

It was learned that the suspects were arrested by the anti-vandals unit of the corps on Thursday while ferrying products siphoned from the Niger Delta region to the north.

An NSCDC official who craved anonymity told Daily Trust that the suspects escaped from custody with the help of some NSCDC operatives, adding that the command has launched a manhunt for the suspected oil vandals.

He gave the names of the suspects as Hassan Sani, Auwal Mohamed, Mohamed Mustapha, Mudashiru Abubakar and Ibrahim Rabiu

The source said the suspects confessed that the products, which were in two trucks were illegally scooped from a pipeline at a forest in one of the oil-rich states.

“These suspects can not escape on their own; it was made possible with the aid of some officers because the wall of the cell is so high and solid that it will be very difficult to break.”

“We understand that one of the suspects in the cell gave a phone number of a certain fellow who in turn reached out to some of our men that facilitated their escape,” he said.

The guard in charge of the cell whose name was given as Aliu Sunday was said to be heavily drunk on the day the suspects escaped.

When contacted, the state commandant, Samuel Peter Maigari, confirmed the incident, adding that he has ordered the detention of those on duty when the suspects escaped.

He said a full investigation will be conducted to fish out those who facilitated the escape.

However, he denied knowledge of any syndicate in the command or anyone who collected bribes to facilitate the escape of the suspects.