The minister made this known yesterday at the 2009 carry over ministerial press briefing of the ministry held in Abuja.
He said in the area of anti-vandalisation, Civil Defence “arrested over 997 bunkerers and vandals of petroleum pipelines, PHCN and Telecommunications facilities/installations, as well as water pipes and other government infrastructure.”
Another 210, according to the minister, have been charged to court out of which 45 were convicted and 165 are pending cases before the court in connection with vandalism.
Speaking of the government’s efforts to provide more security of lives and properties across the country, the minister said federal government reviewed the licences of 220 Private Guard Companies, licensed 71 and sealed 68.
Dr. Shetima however said, the ministry needs more funds to carry out its operations.
The challenge before the ministry, he said, includes the congestion in Nigerian prison as the 131 main prisons and 83 satellite prisons are not enough for the accommodation of prisoners who always come during crises.
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