In the wake of concerns against the increasing waves of oil theft, illegal bunkering and the vandalism of critical infrastructure of government, the leadership of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has vowed to reverse the trend as it has charged its personnel to sit up and salvage the nation’s dwindling economy.
The commandant-general, Dr. Abubakar Ahmed Audi, who disclosed the plan during a strategic meeting with state commandants and heads of anti-vandal units of the service yesterday in Abuja , revealed that an ongoing discreet investigation of all anti –vandal units of the corps in the wake of allegations had commenced.
Audi who tasked the senior management team to check the excesses and inappropriate behaviours of officers under their watch as the corps management would not condone any act that could impugn their hard earned integrity, reminded them of their role as the lead agency in the protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI).
He said, “However, it appears some elements in the system are working to draw the corps backwards from realising the expected gains from our efforts to eradicate or reduce to the barest minimum, incidences of oil theft/bunkering, and oil pipeline vandalism among others.
“There are indications that some of the anti-vandal units in some state commands have been found wanting in the discharge of their duties as we have received reports of irresponsibility and connivance on the part of some of them hence, the imperative.
“The import of this meeting is to draw your attention to some of these observed lapses and shortcomings in the operations of the anti-vandal squad and the need for a total reorganisation and overhaul of the entire anti-vandal units across the board to reposition the unit for better performance.”