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From Tony John, Port Harcourt
The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Rivers State Command, has condemned the dastardly acts that led to the fire explosion which occurred at Obrikom Obiafu 1 and 2, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of the State.
State Commandant Basil Igwebueze, responding to pipeline vandalism and other illegal oil bunkering activities, affirmed that the fire explosion, which occurred at the weekend, claiming over 12 lives, would not have occurred if the Nigerian Agip Oil Company pipelines were not vandalized by desperate individuals.
According to the command, the content being scooped was condensate (liquid substance) very close to Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), but, when placed under close observation, it is a bit different from PMS.
Igwebueze said: “Information reaching us on the fire explosion suffice that some unscrupulous elements manoeuvred their ways to the pipeline, vandalized it and started scooping fuel.
“As a matter of fact and without sounding immodest, the NSCDC Commandant General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, in strong terms condemns all activities amounting to economic sabotage.
“In view of the foregoing, the Rivers State Command has stepped up its operational efficiency, surveillance and Intelligence expertise in the Protection of all critical national assets and infrastructure with relentless antivandalism drive, constant security patrol among others.
“We would continue to partner with sisters security agencies most especially the already constituted Joint Security Task Force to combat the menace of illegal oil bunkering activities in Rivers State.
“It is also very pertinent to condole and commiserate with families of the deceased and those who sustain various degree of injuries.
“Notably, during the explosion about four farm plantations were destroyed, 12 persons lost their lives while others were badly injured.
“All these could be avoided if our people in Rivers State consciously and truly understand that any act of vandalism or attack against oil pipelines and other critical infrastructure would definitely have a degrading and debilitating effect on the community, the lives and property of people and the nation’s economy at large.”
The commandant said the Antivandal Squad under his watch had destroyed about seven illegal oil dumps and made the arrests of over 292 suspects.
He hinted that both the waterways and land were being patrolled to ensure effective security and protection of all critical national assets and infrastructure in Rivers State.
