Niger State Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Commandant Joachin Okafor, has declared war against all acts of vandalism on all critical national assets in the state.
Commandant Okafor, who was speaking on his assumption of duty in the state as the 16th Commandant of the Corps, however, disclosed that the command under his watch will work assiduously to effectively prosecute the mandate of the corps without compromise.
He hinted that with the renewed vigour, the anti-vandal squad of the command, through credible intelligence, has arrested four suspects at Sabon Wuse in the Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State for their alledged involvement in illegal dealing in petroleum products.
The state commandant, according to the state Public Relations Officer of the Corps (CDPR0), SC Nasir O. Abdullahi, in a press release issued and signed by him yesterday and obtained by a Newsline crime correspondent, said the arrest of the suspects was based on the available credible intelligence that led them to swung into action from where the four suspects operating at the oil dump site were arrested.
According to him, the suspects were Abdullahi Musa, 45 years old, from Jigawa State; Huseni Suleiman, 25 years old, hailing from Nassarawa; Murtala Mohammed, 37 years old, from Kano; and Mohammed Sanusi, 35 years old, also from Kano, a dealer of engine oil, petrol, and gas.
Commandant Okafor hinted that the day of their arrest, the suspects were caught pouring about three drums of crude oil in a Carver concrete container in the Kango company in preparation for mixing.
He disclosed further that an apartment used for soap production was also sighted by his men and officers of the anti-vandal squad with many drums and chemicals without any operating licence to show.
He said that a thorough investigation would be carried out by the command to ascertain the level of their involvement, after which they would be charged in court for prosecution.
Wife of the Governor of Niger State, Hajiya Fatima Mohammed Umaru Bago, has admonished inmates at the Minna Medium Correctional Custody to rededicate themselves towards seeking knowledge while in custody to enable them to turn a new leaf.
She stated that as inmates under the custodian facility, acquiring both Western and Islamic knowledge will go a long way in reforming them to be useful to society.
Speaking during a Walimat graduation ceremony of 17 inmates at Minna Old Correctional Centre at the weekend, Hajiya Fatima Umaru Bago noted that the introduction of Islamic and Christian studies within the correctional centre was a noble course of reforming the lives of the inmates.
She said the introduction of spiritual knowledge within the walls of the correctional custody was aimed at fostering a path towards redemption and renewal, stressing that the forward-thinking approach was a vital step towards the rehabilitation and reformation of the inmates.
She commended the graduating inmates for their commitment to embracing the opportunity for personal growth and transformation.
"We commend your dedication; indeed, your commitment to becoming a better person is not only commendable but serves as an inspiration to us all. It is a testament to your resilience and determination to become better individuals," she asserted".
Hajiya Fatima Umaru Bago further encouraged the graduating inmates and the people of the state to be prepared to contribute their quota to the development of the state, noting that "you possess the power to shape a positive future for yourselves and in turn contribute meaningfully to the progress of our society.".
She urged the graduates to turn to God, who, according to her, was the source of strength and guidance. Through faith and determination, "you can overcome obstacles and build a future filled with hope and promise.
"Let this graduation be a stepping stone towards a new chapter in your lives, marked by positive contributions to our beloved Niger State, Nigeria, and humanity as a whole," she added.
She pointed out that as they step towards becoming transformed individuals, they should bear in mind that they hold the power to contribute significantly to the development of the state, stressing that their redemption was not only a personal triumph but also a valuable contribution to the collective bargaining progress of the larger society.
"Let us not forget the importance of faith and turn to God. In times of challenge and jubilation, may your connection with the divine guide you towards a path of righteousness and hope," she prayed.
Speaking earlier, the state controller of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), Niger State Command, Mohammed Hamisu Isah, appealed to the graduating inmates to make proper use of the knowledge they acquired while in custody to better their lives, society, and humanity.
He noted that the correctional centre was a reformatory home, urging members of the public not to look down on inmates, stating that by looking down on them, it would make them stigmatised.
Seventeen inmates, among them five females, graduated from reciting the glorious Quran, and certificates were presented to them.
