28 August 2013, Jos – Plateau State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Tuesday paraded seven suspected pipeline vandals, including a female farmer, whose activities around Rafin Kura, Gurum and Taria in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, led to the contamination of the river.
The state commandant of the NSCDC, Vincent Bature, who paraded the suspects with 88 cans of diesel, a Ford bus and a Suzuki motorcycle, said Taria and Gurum in Bassa Local Government remain the most volatile areas despite efforts by the corps to check such activities.
“The river in Bassa is now polluted, there is nothing there, even the fish are dying. Fulani cattle rearers cannot even graze their cattle there, nobody can use that water,” he said.
He said Hannatu Iliya, the female farmer, was caught with cans of diesel by the river side, and that some other cans were found under her bed. Speaking to newsmen, the suspect asked for forgiveness.
– Daily Trust