By Adedapo Adesanya
The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has said the agency will go after economic saboteurs, stressing that the recent fire outbreak at the organisation’s exhibits yard in Rivers State will not deter the Corps from carrying out its responsibilities.
He said the development would rather spur the agency to pursue its mandate with renewed vigour to eliminate the activities of oil thieves and vandals in the state.
Speaking while inspecting the affected facility in Iriebe, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, he maintained that NSCDC was the lead agency in safeguarding critical national assets and infrastructure in the country, which includes oil pipelines.
The NSCDC boss warned that the agency will not relent in her continuous arrests of those sabotaging the resources of the nation, noting that the mainstay of the nation’s wealth was crude oil and any act of vandalism, oil bunkering and illegal dealings in petroleum products would adversely affect the economy.
“The inferno incident is a very unfortunate one and the Corps is not happy with it. It is noteworthy that over 40 arrests have been made by the Command lately and the suspects were charged to court. You will definitely agree that this occurrence is the handiwork of Saboteurs but we will not be deterred.
“A high-powered intelligence and investigation panel has been set up, and we will get back to Nigerians when their investigative report is out. Let me assure the people of the Iriebe community that their safety is guaranteed, we will continue to protect them. The inferno is extinguished already, there is no cause for alarm,” he said.
The NSCDC commandant, who also charged officers and men of the Corps to shun every act that was inimical to the image of the organisation, reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to adequate welfare of personnel, urging them to be more dedicated, loyal and courageous while discharging their duties.
He expressed his appreciation to the Federal Fire Service, the State Fire Service, the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, as well as the Paramount Ruler of the Iriebe community, HRH Eze Jeremiah Worenwu.
He also commended the existing collaborations amongst the security agencies, stressing that such a synergistic spirit was very fundamental in order to succeed in the fight against criminalities across the country.
Modupe Gbadeyanka