Oil theft: Why Government dissolves NSCDC anti-vandal units on oil pipelines −Ahmed Audi

*Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, stresses the Corps will ‘hold Commandants responsible for any breach in their various states, especially in the area of vandalism’

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

As part of current efforts at checkmating alleged connivance of certain bad eggs in the system with non-state actors, the Federal Government has dissolved all the anti-vandal teams of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) guarding oil pipelines in Niger Delta region of the country.

Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, Commandant General of NSCDC, directed the dissolution of the affected units Tuesday, September 6, 2022, in Abuja, FCT,  during a meeting with the top management and all state commandants of the Corps.

Audi reportedly said the dissolution was sequel to the directive of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Honourable Minister for Interior, to dissolve all anti-vandal units of the NSCDC with immediate effect.

The Corps Commandant General also stated that all road blocks in the troubled areas that were not approved by the Corps, should be  dismantled as well.

Why dissolution of anti-vandalism units

Dr. Audi further stressed there was a need to reconstitute the units, so as to introduce fresh blood and do away with security operatives, who may be accomplices in the act.

“We have made it very clear, that henceforth, we are going to hold commandants responsible for any breach in their various states, especially in the area of vandalism.

“In view of that, we have received reports, therefore, the minister has approved the reorganisation of a department in the Corps, known as anti-vandalism,” said he.

The NSCDC Chief said:  “You are to note that all anti-vandal teams nationwide are hereby dissolved and all road blocks mounted by such individuals should be immediately dismantled.

“The minister has also approved the reorganisation of the anti-vandal team and he directed further that the anti-vandal team will be reconstituted in due course.”

Audi noted: “The Federal Government is showing so much concern on the issue of oil theft and the corps is saddled with the protection of pipelines.

“There are insinuations that security agencies are involved as accomplices. Because we want to redeem the image of the service, our officers are doing their jobs but not to satisfaction, hence, the call by the minister for the reorganisation of the teams.”