Oil theft: Govt orders immediate dissolution of anti-vandal units nationwide

The Federal Government, yesterday, ordered the immediate dissolution of all anti-vandalism teams of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) nationwide following ongoing investigation into allegations of corruption.

Corps Commandant General, Dr. Ahmed Audi, announced the directive at a media briefing and emergency meeting with state commandants in Abuja.

Announcing the dissolution following an order from Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, Audi said the action became necessary following reports of misconduct against the personnel.

He restated that the “Civil Defence Corps is saddled with the responsibility of protecting critical assets and infrastructure such as the oil and gas pipelines.”

The CG continued: “And because there are insinuations that security agencies act as accomplices and because we want to redeem the image of the service due to reports received about our officers in the field, the minister has directed that that department should be re-organised.

“You are to note that all anti-vandal teams nationwide are hereby dissolved. All roadblocks mounted by such individuals should also immediately be dismantled.

“The minister has also approved the reorganisation of the members of the anti-vandal teams and directed further that the teams be reconstituted.”

Audi said: “We will be injecting fresh blood or fresh individuals. Those, who have served especially in the Niger Delta area for six months to one year, will be changed as over-familiarisation, you know, can make an individual to compromise.”

Explaining further, the NSCDC boss pointed out that the meeting was called at his instance to appraise the activities of the corps and as a follow up to the last emergency meeting with state commandants where he made it clear that the agency was going to hold the state commandants responsible for any breach in their states, especially in the area of anti-vandalisation.

According to him, a discreet investigation, which has been ongoing due to reports received by the corps, has prompted the minister to approve the reorganisation of the anti-vandalisation department.