The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ahmed Audi has ordered massive arrests and prosecution of oil thieves nationwide.
The CG issued the order to NSCDC State Commandants directing them to deploy all machinery both on land and in the waterways to carry out the task.
He gave this directive on Friday in a statement issued by Mr Olusola Odumosu, the NSCDC Director of Public Relations in Abuja.
According to the CG, he wants a stop to the illegal oil activities that affect the economy thereby leading to revenue loss.
He noted that the timely reform and reconstitution of NSCDC Anti-Vandalism Unit would aid the commandants to track, arrest and prosecute the oil thieves in Nigeria.
He said, “I have distributed the newly acquired gunboats to you for the purpose of waging war against the enemies of our commonwealth.
“There is no excuse for failure anymore, I want to see you put a stop to revenue loss due to illegal oil activities in the nation.
“I therefore charge you to remain firm, focused and fierce with the enemies of the nation who have vowed to continue sabotaging our economy.”
On September 6, the Federal government dissolved all anti-vandal teams nationwide and reconstituted a reformed Anti-vandal Unit.
The NSCDC DG said the dissolution and subsequent reconstitution of the unit was necessary to reposition the corps for effective implementation of its statutory mandate of safeguarding national assets especially petroleum pipelines and other oil installations