Two Fake NSCDC Personnel Extorting Tanker Drivers Arrested In Delta

Two suspected fake personnel of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) who have been using the name of NSCDC to extort money from tanker drivers at an illegal checkpoint along Jeddo road in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State, have been nabbed.

www.bigpenngr.com reports that the suspects were caught red handed fully kitted in uniform similar to that of the NSCDC regalia, at about 2300hrs (mid night).

The suspects, Lucky Emofuoreta, 22 yrs and Goodness Osorochukwu Francis 25 years, have been going around using the uniform and other paraphernalia to extort money from the unsuspecting road users particularly truck and tankers drivers on that route before their arrest.

NSCDC Public Relation Officer, Emeke Peter, a Deputy Superintendent of Corp who confirmed this in a statement on Sunday, said that the arrest came through following the recent deployment made by the State Commandant Akinsanya Iskilu Abiodun, who ordered the HOD Intelligence and Investigation to deploy plain cloth officers on routine patrol and surveillance across the state.

He said that the state commandant had made the deployment on account of complaints by members of the public who erroneously believed multiple checkpoints seen on the road are those of NSCDC.

Emeka said that intelligence from some of the NSCDC personnel deployed led to the arrest of the two suspects.

During their arrest, items recovered from them include; one Honda Odyssey bus with registration number KPR 113 SX, gold colour, one handcuff, a pair of jungle boots, two jack knives amongst other unlawful items used for their nefarious activities.

Denying that the multiple checkpoints on the roads are not NSCDC officials, Emeka said that NSCDC operates within the law with total observance of the fundamental human rights of the citizenry.

He also said that officers of the corps conduct themselves in the best international practice and standards.

According to him, NSCDC, only mount and maintain strategic check points statutorily with NSCDC branded operational vehicles as part of the continuous efforts at mitigating or checkmating the menace of product diversion, adulterated products, crude oil theft and vandalism of national asset or installations in the state.

The PRO maintained that the NSCDC have sustained and maintained a robust relationship, synergy and mutual collaboration and cooperation with all sister security agencies in the state and has zero tolerance for crimes in pursuance of its mandate.

Emeka assured the public of the continuous efforts by the command geared towards the protection of life and property and to assist in maintaining peace and order in the state,  pointing the ongoing Surveillance patrol exercise by personnel of the corps across the state would be sustained.

He urges the public to “say something when they see something”, saying that those with useful information about a criminal activity should visit any of the 25 Divisional Offices, or the NSCDC Formations across the state and the state headquarters, Asaba.

He affirmed that the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation as a deterrent to other would-be criminals