The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR, has read the Riot Act to Commandants of the Niger Delta States to ensure full compliance with the Presidential order to purge the country’s oil sector of economic saboteurs, vandals, criminals, oil thieves, and other nefarious activities detrimental to the sector’s growth.
In order to stop oil theft and the vandalism of important national assets, the CG called the pertinent State Commandants to the National Headquarters of the Corps in Abuja and issued them orders to rapidly reorganize their Anti-vandal units.
He stated that anyone discovered aiding and abetting economic saboteurs will face the full force of the law since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has announced zero tolerance for crude oil theft, illicit oil bunkering, and other frivolous deals in petroleum products.
“This meeting was required to relay President Bola Tinubu’s order that all unethical behavior in the country’s oil sector must halt immediately.
“Since oil continues to be the foundation of our economy, you must redesign your Anti-vandal Units in order to comply with federal government directives and put an end to the problem of oil theft.
The CG emphasized that it was our responsibility to defend the oil and gas industries from vandalism and stop unauthorized bunkerers from ruining our infrastructure, oil installations, and revenue.
Dr. Audi ordered the State Commandants to keep a constant eye on the country’s oil infrastructure, collaborate with host communities, and acquire enough reliable intelligence to neutralize the threat.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining the safety of all displays, maintaining the security of exhibit centers, and strictly upholding the Corps’ code of ethics and operational procedures.
The Corps helmsman issued a warning, pledging to hold any State Commandant accountable for oil theft, acts of indiscipline, and breakdowns of law and order in their domains, saying that his administration will not tolerate any compromise or unethical conducts from any command or people.
“As the leading agency charged with protecting vital infrastructure and assets, we must be tenacious and resolute in our fight against crude oil theft.
We cannot afford to let the President and the entire nation down because His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is already altering the narrative for the better, the CG said.
Dr. Audi urged the staff to work in concert with other security agencies and important stakeholders in order to minimize crude oil theft.