The State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Rivers State Command Basil Igwebueze has reiterated the commitment of the Command to curtailing the menace of Oil theft, pipeline vandalism and dealing decisively with any personnel caught aiding illegal oil bunkering activities in Rivers State.
Reading the riot act to officers serving in the Antivandal Unit, Marine Unit, Component Commanders and general duty officers; Commandant Basil stressed that the Commandant General Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi has zero tolerance for any act that would denigrate or degrade the corporate image of the NSCDC across the nation.
He emphasized on the need to imbibe professionalism, discipline and implicit compliance with the Corps’ Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and Ethical values.
“Upon my assumption of duty you were adequately briefed that my deployment to Rivers State is to effectively prosecute the Core mandate and nothing else.
We will not hesitate to show you the way out if you are caught conniving with economic saboteurs who for their selfish reasons have refused to cease fire in their illegal dealings in petroleum products”.
“Lately the authority of the Command had received allegations that some security agencies were engaging in the escort of bunkered badges and tankers, collection of tolls, patrol with unmarked vehicles and fibre boats via the waterways”.
“Let me sound a note of warning to any personnel with such intentions that as soon as we receive your report, you would be officially charged and dismissed according to the extant laws guiding the Corps”.
The NSCDC Rivers State Commandant further relayed that within the three months of his assumption of duty the Command with a renewed vigour made 105 arrests ranging from: illegal dealings in petroleum products, Criminal conspiracy to aid the operation of illegal oil bunkering activities, illegal mining and dredging, advance free fraud, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) amongst others.
Commandant Basil hinted that in the various arrests made the number of suspects are 194, Number of Convictions in the Court of competent jurisdiction are 9 while the number of convicts are 14 altogether.
While soliciting for more credible and actionable Intelligence from the public; Igwebueze affirmed that the command under his watch is fully ready to partner with reputable stakeholders in the Government, Civil Society Organization, Religious leaders, Community youths and Sister Security agencies in order to rid Rivers State of the menace of Oil theft and its negative effects on the environment.