The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Commandant General’s Special Anti-Vandal Monitoring Unit (CG’s SAVMU) has expressed commitment to safeguarding all critical national assets and infrastructure across the federation.
While speaking on the achievements of the newly created squad, the Unit Commander, DCC Brah Umoru Samson, said the inauguration of the special squad was not limited to fighting the menace of oil theft and illegal dealings in petroleum products but also to safeguard all critical national assets and infrastructure such as oil pipelines, electrical power installations (armoured cables, transformers), water pipes, telecommunication masts and gadgets as well as all infrastructure that were very critical to the government and the corporate existence of the nation.
Umoru, who spoke through the NSCDC Rivers State Command Public Relations Officer, DSC Olufemi Ayodele, explained that within the week of its inauguration, the unit has been very resolute in the fight against illegal oil bunkering activities which led to impounding of five tankers, of which two were about 33,000 litres capacity, one 40,000 litres, one 45,000 litres and one 15,000 litres capacity of locally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
“The Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, in his renewed vigour to combat the menace of illegal dealings in petroleum products across the federation, did inaugurate the CG’s Special Anti-Vandal Monitoring Unit (CG’s SAVMU) to enhance the protection of all critical national assets and infrastructure in the nation.
“The CG’S SAVMU, upon arrival in Rivers State, swung into action, and impounded the trucks at Abuloma, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State. It should be noted that upon sighting the squad, the suspects abandoned the tankers and fled the scene of crime.
“The Rivers State Commandant, Abu Tambuwal, has directed that a thorough investigation be made to apprehend the suspects while the state command will also approach the court after the conclusion of investigation”, he said.
Meanwhile, a residential building converted to dumpsite for illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil also known as diesel or ‘Kpo-fire’ has been sealed by operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Rivers State.
Addressing newsmen at the scene of the crime, the NSCDC Commandant, Rivers State Command, Abu Tambuwal, said its anti-vandal squad made the discovery following sustained intelligence.
Tambuwal, who was represented by the command’s Head of Anti-Vandal Squad, JoachinOkafor, said the operatives arrested suspects who were indulging in the act.
He stated, “Based on sustained intelligence, the surveillance team of the Anti-Vandal Squad laid ambush for three days to monitor the activities around the area.
“In consonance with the provisions of Section 3 (l) (ii) of the NSCDC ACT 2003 as amended 2007; I eventually ordered my men to advance into the compound and we later confirmed that the ash colour bungalow building located at IwofeRumuolumeni, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, is being used as a loading point of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil stored in cellophane bags.
“In addition, we saw a black Lexus 330 saloon car with number plate Bayelsa GBB 52EA, a Toyota Avalon gold colour car with registration number Rivers FH 730 PHC laden with some cellophane bags of illegally refined AGO, a boat engine and several bags of AGO stored in cellophane bags scattered within the premises.
“Let me use this opportunity to reiterate to the general public that the NSCDC, Rivers State Command, will not relent in the fight against oil theft, illegal oil bunkering and all acts of economic sabotage in the state.
“If this unscrupulous act was not uncovered, it could have led to a fire outbreak and the continuous operation of illegal refineries in the area would definitely lead to environmental degradation and pollution of the environment which is hazardous to the health of the good people of Rivers State.”
Tambuwal said the command would carry out detailed investigation to identify those behind the illicit act which he described as economic sabotage.
“The residential building has been sealed and our operatives have cordoned off the area.
“We have also identified a local jetty near the scene of the crime, where illegally refined AGO are being loaded for onward transmission to would-be buyers.
“The command will approach the court with the requisite jurisdiction to make necessary application for the forfeiture of the petroleum products, modes of conveyance and the residential apartment as this unscrupulous act contravenes the provisions of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 2004, Laws of the Federation,” the commandant said.