The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Audi, has declared war against oil pipeline vandals and illegal bunkerers in Rivers. 

In a statement by the corps’ spokesperson, Olusola Odumosu, on Monday in Abuja, Mr Audi restructured the corps command in the Rivers and replaced the head of the state anti-vandal unit alongside the state commandant and zonal commander.

The NSCDC boss had earlier disbanded the Rivers’ Anti-Vandal Unit of the Corps over oil bunkering allegations by the state Governor, Nyesom Wike.

Mr Audi, therefore, charged the new leaders and newly reconstituted unit to fight all economic saboteurs by dislodging vandals, arresting oil thieves and dismantling all illegal refineries and road blocks.

“Any attempt to delay immediate prosecution of arrested suspects is tantamount to compromise.

“Any personnel caught collecting settlement or tampering with impounded tankers, petroleum products and other exhibits would be sanctioned and dealt with decisively.

“This will be according to the Standard Operating Procedures and Code of Ethics of the Corps,” he said.

Mr Audi said the action was taken to ensure greater efficiency in the frontline of the corps’ anti vandalism campaign in Rivers which is the epicenter of oil exploration activities.

He stated that the corps’ plans to develop a telescopic monitoring procedure on all activities of anti vandal squads in all formations.

He said that personnel not living up to expectations of the corps would be shown the way out immediately.

“You must wake up from your slumber to arrest and prosecute vandals and criminals,” Mr Audi said.

He disclosed that he had received the report of the investigation carried out by the  committee set up to investigate the allegations.

(NAN)