Scale up fight against oil theft, Fubara tells NSCDC

Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has called on the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps to scale up the fight against illegal bunkering, oil theft as well as protect critical national assets in the state.

He urged the corps to continue to support the military and the police to tackle such acts of economic sabotage, even as he commended the NSCDC for its tireless service in ensuring security at all levels.

Fubara also urged the NSCDC to checkmate the activities of vigilante groups in the state to ensure they don’t act outside the law.

Fubara made call during the 2024 World Civil Defence Day and passing out parade of the NSCDC 2022 regular intakes at the Command’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.

Fubara said the vision of the founders of the NSCDC was not misplaced, as the agency had sustained rigorous support for the Nigerian military and police forces’ holistic peace initiatives in the country and Rivers State.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, Fubara emphasised that while undertaking its roles of community vigilante across the state, the agency should also ensure community groups work in consonance with rules and regulations establishing them.

He stated, “Please redouble your efforts in support to the military and police to ensure that oil pipelines and all assets are protected, including metal works such as manholes and metal poles from thieves in the state.

“I know that overseeing the private security guards like community vigilante is part of your brief, please ensure they operate according to rules and regulations and work hand-in-hand with established security agencies in the state.”

The governor further applauded the new recruits for their courage to accept the call to national service and persuaded them to remain resilient, as he prayed more young personnel from Rivers State also take-up the challenge to serve.

He said, “I extol the new intakes for your courage to accept this call to national duty because we need all hands on deck to salvage the country and ensure sustainable peace and security. You have taken the right step, I urge you to continue.

“What is important in life is not where you are standing or where you are starting from, but where you will get to. Where you will get to is not also where you are today, but it is determined by who you have decided to become in your mind.

“This is determined by the efforts you are ready to invest, both mentally and physically to transform yourself.

“There is nobody here, whether recruit or senior officers, who cannot become what God has ordained you to become. I urge you to take this seriously, commit yourselves mentally and physically.”

The governor added, “Also upgrade yourselves academically to fit into any position God has ordained you to occupy in life. Congratulations and happy World Civil Defence Day. “

Rivers State NSCDC Zone L Zonal Commander, Aniekan Udoeyop, reiterated the desire of NSCDC to stamp out crimes and criminality in the country and ensure Nigerians are safe.

Udoeyop noted that the Corps will continue to ensure that its officers are disciplined, exemplary, motivated and poised for maximum exploits.

He charged the new personnel, “I urge you to eschew any act that will make the federal, state, local governments and our benefactors regret the huge resources spent on us.”

He noted that the Corps was established to protect critical national assets, champion the crusade against vandalism of piplelines/illegal oil activities, checkmate farmers-herders clashes, ensure safety of schools, disaster management, and intelligence information, amongst others.

The World Civil Defence Day is held every March 1 globally, with the 2024 edition themed: ‘Honour Heroes and Promote Safety Skills.’

Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, the Air Force Commandant and heads of other sister agencies also graced the occasion.