The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Delta Command, has confirmed the arrest of 11 suspects and the impounding of three trucks of stolen crude oil in the state.

The State Commandant, Mr. Chike Ikpeamaonwu who disclosed this on Thursday in Asaba, said the command also secured the conviction of three suspects within the last three months.

He said activities of the command in his first hundred days in office, was hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic, which he said, affected his plans and vision upon his assumption of office in April.

“During the period of the last three months, we arrested 11 suspects and impounded three trucks of stolen crude oil.

“However, there were some challenges too. The Coronavirus pandemic affected my take-off and information gathering.

“Because, as you know, our work is more of surveillance. We had to revive the Asaba Marine Team of the anti-Vandalisation Unit of the Corps at the River Niger.

“These and other interventions have helped the command curb vandalism in the state and as I speak to you now, the rate of vandalism has reduced drastically,” Ikpeamonwu said.

The commandant also disclosed that the command had trained and mobilized officers in the discharge of the lockdown enforcement duties in the state.

According to him, the command also trained five agro managers and sends them to Edo to assist in carrying out emergency duties.

The NSCDC boss further stated that the command intercepted a lorry carrying 80 persons who violated the inter-state lockdown last May and rescued a three-week-old baby.

He enjoined media practitioners in the state to always verify information at their disposal, before going to the press, to avoid offensive publication.

“Our doors are open at all times, so we appeal to journalists and other media practitioners to reach us in issues relating to our command.”

He lauded Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa for the recent donation of three vans to the command to help in protecting the pipelines and illegal bunkering surveillance duties.