‘NSCDC’ll Not Give Up Fight Against Oil Theft’

The Bayelsa State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps says it is not giving up on its mandate to combat oil theft and safeguard oil installations in the state.

Commandant of the NSCDC in Bayelsa, Mr Desmond Agu, told newsmen in Yenagoa that the outfit had recorded appreciable successes in the fight against crude oil theft.

He expressed regret at the recent upsurge in oil theft and illegal bunkering which compelled Agip to suspend operations in Bayelsa and assured that the security agencies had taken steps to address the lapses.

“Vandalism and illegal oil bunkering is my mandate. The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps mandate. I am three months old here, I have arrested 11 suspects, arrested 11 tankers, five vessels have been arrested, and I have prosecuted 11 persons.

“I am still ready to contribute my quota to ensure that vandalism and illegal bunkering is minimised in Bayelsa.

“We have reacted, and it is unfortunate that that thing happened and it can never happen again because we have put heads together; we the security agencies – the police and civil defence, the military have put heads together to ensure that that thing cannot occur again.’’