The Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) has replaced his commander in State of the rivers after Gov. Nyesom Wike accused agency officials of colluding with individuals to operate illegal oil refineries in the state.
The head of the agency’s Anti-Vandal Unit and the zone commander were also replaced in the state.
This is contained in a statement by civil defense spokesman Olusola Odumosu on Monday in Abuja.
Odumosu said the action, taken by Commanding General Ahmed Audi, is part of efforts to ensure sanctity in the corps’ operations at Rivers.
Audi, the statement says, has declared war on pipeline vandals and illegal oil bunkers in Rivers.
The head of civil defense had previously dissolved the Anti-Vandal Unit of the body due to the accusations of oil supply by Wike.
Mr. Audi tasked the new leaders and the newly reconstituted unit to fight all economic spoilers by evicting vandals, arresting oil thieves and dismantling all illegal refineries and roadblocks.
“Any attempt to delay the immediate prosecution of arrested suspects amounts to a compromise.
“Any personnel caught collecting liquidation or handling seized tankers, petroleum products and other exhibits would be prosecuted and dealt with decisively.
“This will be in accordance with the Corps’ Standard Operating Procedures and Code of Ethics,” he said.
According to the general commander, the action taken was a transparent maneuver to guarantee greater efficiency in the front line of the body’s anti-vandalism campaign in Ríos, the epicenter of oil exploration activities.
Audi said the corps plans to develop a “telescopic monitoring procedure for all vandalism squad activities in all formations.”
He said staff who do not live up to the body’s expectations will be fired immediately.
“You must wake up from your dream to arrest and prosecute vandals and criminals,” Audi said.
He revealed that he had received the report of the investigation carried out by the committee created to investigate Governor Wike’s allegations.
Wike, known for his outspoken nature, had said that the operation of illegal refineries was responsible for air pollution in and around Port Harcourt.
(YAYA)