NSCDC TO RELEASE VEHICLES TO JTF

Source: CSC OKEH, EMMANUEL O.

In her drive to curtail the activities of vandals in the Niger Delta area and its environs, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps is to release Hilux Vehicles to her personnel involved in the Joint Task Force (JTF) operation in the Niger Delta.

This release became necessary to encourage and enhance the effective pursuit of the Corps mandate in the Protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure as it concerns the Oil and Gas Sector.

The Commandant General of the Corps Dr. Ade Abolurin states that, the Corps is bent in ensuring zero tolerance to vandalism and oil theft in all sectors and the only way the battle can be won is by empowering the foot solders by equipping them with all necessary equipment.

He further reiterates that, recently the Federal Government through the Office of the National Security Adviser Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki released surveillance vehicles with state of the art facilities to the Corps for the purpose of monitoring, tracking of vandals and protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure; the gesture, according to him, is to be replicated with the vehicles that are to be released for the same purposes to the JTF personnel.

Similarly, the surveillance vehicles received by the Corps were deployed to National Assembly, Niger-Delta Power Holding Company, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and Ministry of Power for effective policing and protection of the Nation's infrastructure.

Also, the Corps released one vehicle each to operatives working with NIMASA, Anti-Vandal Squad, Special Force Unit, Operations Unit and an ambulance bus each to the Disaster Management Department of the Headquaters, FCT Command and the Civil Defence Academy, Sauka Abuja for the purpose of equipping the various units and departments to carryout their duties without hitches in the area of mobility.

Abolurin therefore stresses that vandals and illegal bunkers have no hiding place any more as the Corps has declared total war against those involved in vandalism and their cronies.

Vandalism and oil theft is evil and any one involved in such nefarious activities is a saboteur and enemy of the Nation, therefore such a person does not deserve to live in this country.

The Corps Executive is agitating for a stiffer punishment for anyone caught in the act of vandalism and oil theft considering its prevalent and precautious nature.

He assures the Federal Government of the Corps readiness, commitment, focus and determination in their crusade and fight against the scourge of vandalism in all its ramifications.

He advises parents to warn their wards to desist from every act of criminality that can endanger their lives and put the family name to shame as the law of the Federation is no respecter of anyone; therefore, any one caught will be dealt with decisively in accordance with the law.

Abolurin appreciates the various Joint Task Force (JTF) commanders for their co-operation as well as the Nigeria Navy for their arrests on the high seas and the subsequent handing over to the Corps for prosecution.

Equally, he commended the efforts of the Department of State Security Services for their collaboration in arresting vandals of PHCN cables and telecommunication installations, interception of illegal diversion of tankerss containing petroleum products as well as those with vandalized products which were handed over to the Corps for prosecution.

In the light of the above, Abolurin states that if all stakeholders should realize that the battle against vandalism is not a fight for one agency alone but a collective one, vandals according to him, will change their trade or relocate out of the country. What is required is synergy, collaboration and partnership at all levels to flush out vandals and oil thieves for the Nation to be free of saboteurs and meaningful development in all sectors of the economy to take place.

CSC OKEH, EMMANUEL O.
CDPRO