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•NSCDC CG, Audi, says corps dismantling illegal oil bunkering sites
By Christopher Oji
Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Abubakar Audi, says the organisation “is winning the war against economic sabotage and other sundry crimes.” He spoke with Daily Sun in Lagos, recently: “The NSCDC has dismantled many illegal oil bunkering sites.
“Boats used for conveying locally refined petroleum products have been impounded. Some stolen products recovered and returned to the government. We conduct operations to arrest suspects, dismantle illegal refineries, recover stolen oil and collaborate with other security agencies to combat oil theft.
“The mandate of the NSCDC, which involves operations, surveillance and prosecution to combat illegal activities related to oil bunkering, has yielded positive results in the Niger Delta and some other parts of the country.”
He said the corps was also involved in crisis resolution and other aspects of maintaining security, law and order: “We arrested suspected oil thieves, including 23 suspects in a 3,000 metric tonnes capacity vessel in Delta State and 10 suspects caught red-handed engaging in illicit oil theft at Watson Jetty in Warri.
“The corps also arrested suspects at illegal refineries, one in Adobi that contained over 100,000 litres of crude oil. We also uncovered the on going construction of a local refinery with 60,000 litres capacity in a forest on the boundary between Rivers and Abia states.
“Large quantities of stolen oil, equipment and exhibits used for illegal bunkering activities have been recovered during our operations.
“We also collaborate with other security agencies to combat oil theft. These efforts led to reduction in oil theft and illegal bunkering activities, as well as decrease in soot pollution in states like Rivers. The corps remains committed to curbing criminal activities that threaten the nation’s economy and security in the Niger Delta.
“We are also not relenting in our efforts to stamp out criminal saboteurs from the region and any other part of the country. I want to tell them that we are not sleeping. We are always on alert to confront any challenge from them.
“The corps made significant arrests and recovery of critical assets and railway materials worth over N5 billion in recent operations. We have been partnering with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), to fight against vandalism and theft of railway materials and infrastructure.”
Audi said the creation of the Commandant-General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS) significantly impacted the fight against illegal bunkering, kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery and other crimes: “CG’s SIS was created out of necessity to combat crime and conduct intelligence, surveillance operations and uncover investigation of illegal oil refining sites and activities, especially in the Niger Delta.
“The team led by Dandaura Apollos has been achieving positive results in the fight against crime. Through the CG’s SIS, the NSCDC arrested several suspects and recovered large quantities of stolen crude oil and equipment used for illegal bunkering. The squad is deployed to tackle kidnapping and banditry.
“CG’s SIS collaborates with the Female Squad to conduct intelligence operations to uncover illegal activities like kidnapping dens. They recently discovered a den in Ibadan, Oyo State, housing some malnourished victims, human skulls and personal items of kidnapped students.
“It raids sites suspected to be harbouring criminals, leading to arrests and disruption of criminal networks; their efforts helped the corps in fighting crime.”
Audi pointed out that the squad’s intelligence-led operations and collaboration with other security agencies were instrumental in the NSCDC’s overall strategy to end oil theft, kidnapping, banditry and other crimes that threaten Nigeria’s economy and security.
He disclosed: “The Female Squad, was established to tackle kidnapping, youth restiveness and safeguard schools and communities from kidnapping and violence in schools and other related crimes. It has the responsibility of providing security and protection for schools, especially in high-risk areas.
“It is aimed at preventing incidents of kidnapping and violence that have disrupted education in parts of the country. The squad also gets involved in community outreach and mentorship programmes to steer youth away from criminal paths and address root causes of restiveness.”
On staff welfare: “We have constructed official and residential buildings, both within and outside the headquarters, to improve working conditions and accommodate the personnel.
“The new office complex at the NSCDC headquarters in Abuja was to provide modern, well-equipped workspaces for staff. Also, residential quarters were built near the headquarters to house NSCDC officers and their families, ensuring they have access to comfortable accommodations close to their place of work, and we renovated and expanded the NSCDC state command offices across the country to create more functional and spacious facilities for the personnel across the country.”
The NSCDC also established Civil Defence Academy in Jos, Plateau State, to provide training and education for its personnel.
