The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Abubakar Audi, has warned that henceforth anyone involve in the oil theft will not be spared even as the organisation will apply all the rules necessary for sanctions of all recalcitrant elements.
The NSCDC boss assured that the agency will stop oil theft across the country.
Addressing a strategic meeting with Commandants and Heads of Anti-Vandal Units across the country, Friday in Abuja, Audi tasked the senior officers to check excesses and inappropriate behaviours of their men on the field so as to address oil theft and bunkering.
Audi, who said the core mandate of the Corps is the protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) for which the Corps remains the Lead Agency, lamented that “it appears some elements in the system are working to draw the Corps backwards from realizing the expected gains from our efforts to eradicate or reduce to the barest minimum, incidences of oil theft/bunkering, oil pipeline vandalization among others.”
According to him, There are indications that some of the Antivandal Units in some State Commands have been found wanting in the discharge of their duties as the Corps Management has received reports of irresponsibility and connivance on the part of some of them hence, the imperative of summoning all heads of Anti-Vandal Units nationwide to this meeting to deliberate on this dangerous slide and rather unfortunate development which the Management frowns at as it is inimical to the image the Corps has built over the years.
He said the Corps management will not condone any act that could impugn on the integrity of the Corps.
“The import of this meeting is to draw your attention to some of these observed lapses and shortcomings in the operations of the Antivandal Squad and the need for a total reorganization and overhauling of the entire Antivandal Units across board to reposition the Unit for better performance.
“Some believe that security agencies are part of oil theft in the country, but we must do what is necessary to redeem our image.
“I want to make it clear that anyone involved will not be spared. We will apply all the rules necessary for sanctions of all recalcitrant elements.
“The corps will use its hammer on any personnel involved in compromise of oil theft regardless of his position.
“There will be severe punishment for anyone found wanting. If you join the corps to make money by cooperating with oil thieves, we urge you to resign.
“The Minister has directed that anyone caught sabotaging the image of government will be severely sanctioned. Some of the anti vandals units have been found wanting. We want you to reposition the units for better performance.
“I warn that the corps has no place for mediocrity and incompetence. Redouble your efforts and reposition the sectors for better performance.”
He, however, urged the heads of Anti-vandal Units to display a high sense of responsibility, commitment, loyalty and dedication to duty.
“Let me sound this note of warning that the Corps has no space for mediocrity, laziness, nonchalance and incompetence and will therefore not hesitate to appropriately deal with any officer found wanting in the discharge of his duties.”
