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 mni OFR 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.
He said that his core mandate in Rivers State was to effectively carry out his approved duties and that anything short of personnel carrying out their duties would lead to an outright dismissal.
This he said stemmed from reports of personnel engaging in activities that were contrary to the mandate of the NSCDC which includes connivance with economic saboteurs.
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.
