The Minister of Inside, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has mentioned the Nigeria Safety and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) ought to brace as much as carry out its constitutional function.
In line with him, the structure was clear on the function of the corps, that are to safe the nation’s crucial infrastructure.
Talking on the celebration of World Civil Defence Day in Abuja on Friday, the minister mentioned there are distinct roles within the structure for each the Nigeria Police Power and the NSCDC and there was no cause for a conflict in roles.
He mentioned that the members of the Civil Defence Corps haven’t any cause to carry out the function of the police as they’ve an obligation to make sure that the nation’s oil pipelines will not be vandalized and oil theft is a factor of the previous.
He additionally mentioned they’ve the responsibility of guaranteeing {that a} cease is put to unlawful mining and that lives and property at mining websites are protected.
The minister mentioned: “I’ve not come right here to commend you however slightly to inform you to brace up, as there may be rather more that must be achieved.”
He, nonetheless, known as for collaboration amongst all safety equipment within the nation to stem the tide of insecurity within the nation.
The Commandant Normal of the Nigeria Safety and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Audi, acknowledged that the Corps has intensified patrol, monitoring, surveillance, and has carried out satisfactory safety measures to make sure the safety of Vital Nationwide Belongings and Infrastructure (CNAI) in all its formations throughout the nation, together with the Federal Capital Territory, to forestall violent assaults, willful harm, vandalism, and sabotage.
He mentioned: “The Corps’ Anti-Vandal Squad and the Commandant Normal’s Particular Intelligence Squad have continued to wage a relentless battle in opposition to vandals of crucial nationwide belongings and infrastructure, in addition to oil thieves, amongst others.
“The sudden upsurge within the vandalization of railway tracks and sleepers can also be being critically addressed, because the Corps has initiated an onslaught on these felony parts/financial saboteurs. This renewed effort has led to a number of arrests and seizures previously yr.”
He revealed that between January and February 2024 alone, the Corps has made a big impression within the battle in opposition to vandalization and oil theft, with over 57 suspects arrested. A higher share of the arrested vandals are these concerned within the vandalization of railway tracks and sleepers.
He mentioned: “Equally, on January 11, 2024, at about 0057hrs, the Corps, along side the Tantita Safety Companies Nigeria Restricted, additionally arrested a vessel, MT KALI, suspected to have been concerned in oil theft at sea in Beneti, Bayelsa State.
“The vessel was apprehended with about 119 metric tons of crude oil already loaded. Twelve (12) crew members and eleven (11) neighborhood members onboard had been arrested and are at present present process investigation.”
Audi, who can also be celebrating three years as CG, highlighted the achievements recorded from March 2021 so far, which embody 1,421 arrests, 933 prosecutions, 488 convictions, and the destruction of 233 unlawful refineries.
