*The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps discloses President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered immediate implementation of policies to checkmate crime and eradicate incidence of oil theft, bunkering, vandalisation of oil pipelines, and other critical national assets

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has disclosed the operatives of the Corps arrested about 200 oil theft suspects, destroyed 50 illegal refineries, and recovered 300 loading trucks in a year.

ConsumerConnect reports Ahmed Audi, Commandant General of the Corps, stated this during an interactive session with reporters at a  meeting with the State Commandants and Heads of Anti-Vandal Units, held at the Corps Headquarters  Friday, August 26, 2022, in Abuja, FCT.

Photo collage of oil pipeline vandals operating illegal refineries in the Niger Delta Region

The NSCDC Commandant General said: “The Civil Defence has been living up to expectation, we have so far within one year of my administration, arrested 200 suspects, recovered 300 trucks, and destroyed 50 illegal refineries.

“Oil theft and illegal bunkering are on the rise but we are on it, and that is why we scheduled the meeting to proffer solutions to resolve the menace.”

Audi revealed that the Federal Government is concerned about the increasing  cases of oil theft in Nigeria.

According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered immediate implementation of policies to checkmate crime and eradicate incidences of oil theft, bunkering, and vandalisation of oil pipelines and other critical national assets.

While urging operatives of the Corps to carry out their duties properly, he noted that anyone found culpable would be sanctioned.

Audi also noted: “There are indications that some of the Anti-Vandal Units in some state commands have been found wanting in discharging their duties.

“We are getting reports of compromise. We have instituted a panel of inquiry and anybody who is found culpable will be severely sanctioned.”

He further stated: “Let me sound this note of warning that the Corps has no place for mediocrity.

“Laziness, nonchalance, incompetence, and will, therefore, not hesitate to take appropriate dealing or action with any officer found wanting no matter his position.

“You are to, therefore, go back to your various State Commands and redouble your effort to reinvigorate, re-engineer, restructure, reposition your various Anti-Vandal squads.”