The Abia State Command, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has announced the arrest of nine suspected vandals at Umuelechi community in Ukwa West Local Government.

A week ago, the personnel of the agency had arrested three persons for stealing crude oil at Umuowaga Umuelechi Obuzo Asa in the same Ukwa West council.

The suspected vandals were Chima Ginikanwa, 36, from Isiala Mbano, Imo State, Wisdom Uduak, 16, from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Sunday Edihl, 32, from Ogoja, Cross Rivers State, Susan Simeon, 50, from Onitsha, Anambra State, Star and Thomas, 24, from Obingwa LG.

Others include Victor Williams Umah, 26, from Ohafia LG, Ikocha Nnamdi, 35, from Obuzor in Ukwa West LG, Onyeyirichi Omenihu, 25, from Ukwa West LG, and Blessing Chima, 33, from Umuelechi, Ukwa West LG all in Abia State.

The Public Relations Officer of the Command, Doreen Udugwu, confirmed the arrest.

She said some of the exhibits recovered were seven sacks filled with 50 litres of crude oil.

She added that the State Commandant of the agency, Akinsola Aderemi, called on all to provide useful information to the Command to enable it to curb the menace.