Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, CG NSCDC
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Rivers State, has uncovered an illegal dump site at Igbo Etche, Etche Local Government Area of the state where stolen crude was stored in over 70 tanks.
The newly deployed State Commandant, Joachin Okafor, said the tanks were located in an abandoned construction site.
Okafor said Rivers would no longer be a safe place for those stealing and refining petroleum products illegally.
He said that the fight against illegal dealings in petroleum products and the overall protection of the nation’s critical national assets and infrastructure would be given utmost priority under his watch.
He said: “You are all aware that the nation is losing a lot, and the economy is being sabotaged because of the unscrupulous activities of crude oil thieves.
“Our environment is also being polluted and degraded; the Rivers NSCDC is awakened to its responsibilities and my administration has zero tolerance for vandalism of pipelines and illegal bunkering.
“I advise them to relocate or better undertake a legitimate business because this Rivers State will not contain us; we have started and we will not relent in the fight even as we collaborate with the government, our sister’s security agencies, community youths and traditional leaders amongst others; all hands must be on deck.”
The Commandant further said the Anti-vandal squad also impounded seven drums of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and a truck laden with suspected adulterated petroleum products at Obioakpor Local Government and Elelenwo in Eleme Area of Rivers State respectively.
He said a thorough investigation would be carried out and that the command would proceed to a court of competent jurisdiction to determine the fate of the suspects and the impounded products.
The state commandant in his inaugural address earlier appreciated the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his continuous support and further pleaded for operational vehicles given the forthcoming local government elections.
Okafor called on all officers and men to join the wagon of positive change by increasing their Intelligence skills to gather credible information that would enhance the arrests of vandals and oil thieves in the state.