The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Commandant General, Mr Ahmed Audi, has declared war against petroleum pipeline vandals and illegal oil bunkerers in Rivers.
This is contained in a statement by the Corps’ spokesperson, Mr Olusola Odumosu, on Monday in Abuja.
Odumosu said that as part of the efforts to ensure sanctity in the Corps operations, the CG had restructured its Command in Rivers and replaced the head of the state anti-vandal unit alongside the state Commandant and Zonal Commander.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NSCDC boss had earlier disbanded the Rivers’ Anti-Vandal Unit of the Corps over oil bunkering allegations by the state Gov. Nyesom Wike.
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Audi, therefore, charged the new leaders and newly reconstituted unit to fight all economic saboteurs by dislodging vandals, arresting oil thieves and dismantling all illegal refineries and roadblocks.
“Any attempt to delay immediate prosecution of arrested suspects is tantamount to compromise.
“Any personnel caught collecting settlement or tampering with impounded tankers, petroleum products and other exhibits would be sanctioned and dealt with decisively.
“This will be according to the Standard Operating Procedures and Code of Ethics of the Corps,” he said.
According to the CG, the action taken was a transparent move to ensure greater efficiency in the frontline of the Corps’ anti vandalism campaign in Rivers which is the epicenter of oil exploration activities.
Audi stated that the corps’ plans to develop a telescopic monitoring procedure on all activities of anti-vandal squads in all formations.
He said that personnel not living up to expectations of the corps would be shown the way out immediately.
“You must wake up from your slumber to arrest and prosecute vandals and criminals,” Audi said.
He disclosed that he had received the report of the investigation carried out by the committee set up to investigate the allegations.(NAN)