Commandant-general of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi has condemned alleged harassment and molestation of staff of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) by his men and officers.
Audi who vowed to deal with any officer indicted reiterated the corps’ commitment to the protection of all critical assets and infrastructure.
The comptroller general who ordered full investigation into the allegation, according to a statement by the corps’ director of public relations, Commandant Olusola Odumosu, was reacting to reports that some overzealous officers and men of the Rivers State Command harassed and molested some PHED staffers at Rumuola in Port Harcourt.
He reminded his men and officers that the core mandate of leading in critical infrastructure protection emplaced the responsibility of safeguarding public utilities and keeping the citizens safe at all times.
He expressed displeasure with the incident and ordered full investigation to determine the truth or otherwise of the complaint by PHED with a view to appropriating the right disciplinary actions if the officers are culpable.
The state commandant, Micheal Besong Ogar, on his part stated that as a stakeholder and provider of essential services in Rivers State, Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) remained an important partner enjoying focal attention for security coverage by the command as evident in its deployment of men to guard their premises and facilities over the years.
He expresses regret over the action of his men and promised to get to the root of the matter, reiterating the command’s commitment to continue working in synergy and harmony with all critical stakeholders in the state for the good of all.