Face-Off: Police, NSCDC Clash Over Arrested Vandals

Men of the Oyo State Police Command and officials of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) yesterday clashed over arrest of suspected pipeline vandal in Ibadan.

The suspected vandal was arrested along Oyo-Ogbomoso road in an unmarked Hilux Van containing about 15 jerry cans of petroleum while two buses loaded with fuel escaped.

However, trouble started when the anti-vandal squad of the NSCDC was taking the arrested Hilux to their office and was allegedly intercepted at Poly junction at Sango by some policemen.

Many members of the public scampered for safety as the two security agencies engaged each other. In the face-off, they shot tear gas into the air and also fired gunshot.

The police team arrived the scene in a white vehicle marked XT 391 KRD and was joined by those in the Sango Police Divisional office numbering about 22.

They reportedly attempted to disarm the NSCDC anti-vandal squad and manhandle them by physically assaulting them and deflated their tyre and eventually took over the arrested suspect.

A member of the squad who pleaded anonymity said they have called their state commandant to intimate him of the incident.

He also said when they resisted the attempt to release the suspect, the police team claimed that the NSCDC officials drove against traffic.