Oil Theft: NSCDC talks tough, warns operatives against compromise

Worried by the growing cases of oil theft and illegal bunkering, the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Audi, has expressed displeasure over the attitude of some officers of the corps who have been found culpable in some of the reported cases.

Audi, who spoke yesterday during a meeting he held with all State Commandants and heads of anti-vandal units of the agency in Abuja, warned that any officer found guilty of compromise in the discharge his duties would be dealt with accordingly.

He stressed that the service has no tolerance for mediocrity, laziness, nonchalance and incompetence and would therefore not hesitate to take appropriate action.

His words: “Let me sound this note of warning that the corps has no place for mediocrity, laziness, nonchalance, incompetence and will therefore not hesitate to take appropriate action. We have instituted a panel of inquiry regarding these reported cases and anybody found wanting and culpable will be severely sanctioned.

“As heads of anti-vandal units, you are expected to display a high sense of responsibility, commitment, loyalty and dedication to duty.

“We will not sit and watch if you are not living up to expectation because there is already a general perception that security agencies are also part of this unfortunate situation of oil theft, which is why this meeting has been summoned to make it categorically clear that anybody who is involved will not be spared but severely punished.

“We have our Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), our code of conduct and other rules in place, which can applied for sanctions. So, if you have the intent that you have joined the corps to make money by collaborating with oil thieves and illegal workers, we will resign you immediately because this corps is not for you and we are very serious about that.

“Today’s meeting is obviously not a day for speeches and rhetoric. I invited you here to register my displeasure and disappointment at the attitude to work by some heads of anti-vandal units and their squads.”

The CG said the president had directed that the issue be dealt with; adding that the corps has received the Minister of Interior’s instruction that anybody caught sabotaging the efforts of government must not go scot-free.

“There are indications that some of the anti-vandal units in some states have been found wanting in the discharge of their duties as the corps management has received reports of irresponsibility and connivance on the part of some of them hence, the imperative of summoning all heads of anti-vandal units nationwide,” Audi explained.

He stated that despite several initiatives and proactive steps taken by the corps under his watch to stem the tide of oil theft and vandalism such as the Commandant Generals Special Intelligence Squad, “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 vandalisation, among others.”

“Let me state categorically that the corps management will not condone any act that could impugn on the integrity of the corps,” he warned.