Tag: NSCDC

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Akwa Ibom Command has confirmed the arrest of six suspects in connection with criminal conspiracy, illegal dealing in petroleum products, and impersonation.

The State Commandant NSCDC, Akwa Ibom Command, Eluyemi Eluwade, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Uyo on Wednesday, January 31.

Eluwade said that the suspects were arrested along the Calabar-Itu Highway on Monday, January 29, by operatives of the Anti-vandal squad after a tip-off.

He said that during the operations, the command also impounded a MAC truck used by the suspects in conveying the illegal products as well as a Toyota Camry car used for escorting and clearing the way for the truck to pass through checkpoints without scrutiny.

He said that the suspects who were acting as a joint task force of a security agency were escorting a truck conveying about 45,000 litres of Automative Gas Oil (AGO)  popularly known as Diesel to an unknown destination without requisite documents.

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Eluwade said: “The command acting on intelligence information deploys its personnel who intercepted the suspects along the Calabar-Itu highway.

“The suspects, who are currently undergoing investigations at the NSCDC State Command headquarters include; Abbas Ohis, Jubrin James, Aniefiok Okon, Maduka Ojukwu, Idorenyin Etim, and Uche Ahechukwu all males.”

The NSCDC boss warned perpetrators of illegalities in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry to refrain from their nefarious activities.

He added that the Corps remains committed to executing the mandate of combating all acts of economic sabotage in the oil and gas industry in Akwa Ibom.

The state commandant said that Investigations into the matter are ongoing to establish other variables and facts after which the suspects will be charged in Court.

The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ahmed Audi, has announced the death of the Acting Deputy Commandant General of the Corps, Helen O Amakiri.

He made the announcement on behalf of the entire management and personnel of the Corps, describing the death as a rude shock.

Audi said Amakiri passed away Monday night after a brief illness.

Amakiri was the Acting DCG in charge of the Directorate of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI).

Read Also: NSCDC Abuja Command to activate intelligence architecture against kidnappers

Audi praised Amakiri for holding the position “with utmost dedication for effective service delivery.”

Born in 1966, the late Hellen Amakiri was a native of Southern Ijaw LGA in Bayelsa state.

According to a statement from the Corps Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, “Amakiri was enlisted in the NSCDC as a Commission Officer in 2004 and rose through the ranks largely due to her dedication to duty and excellent academic records which she obtained at the graduate and postgraduate levels from various universities notable among them: the University of Ibadan, University of Benin, University of Calabar among others.

“Late ACG Amakiri served in various Senior management levels in the NSCDC amongst which are:  ACG Directorate of Administration, National Headquarters Abuja; Rivers State Commandant (2014-2017) and Commandant SERVICOM Unit.

“It is on record that during her tenure of office, the NSCDC SERVICOM Unit emerged as the best-performing SERVICOM Unit in all the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in 2011, 2012, and 2013.”

The Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja Command, Olusola Odumosu has charged officers and men of the Command to activate intelligence architecture to tackle the current security challenges in the territory.

Odumosu who addressed personnel of the Command against the backdrop of the recent security situation in Abuja, said intelligence assets should be deployed to make the city hot for criminals

Odumosu said: “The criminals are not ghosts, they are members of the various communities we live in. We must therefore intensify efforts by fully activating our intelligence architecture to identify them and ensure they are brought to book.”

He decried the influx of bandits, especially in communities located in the hinterlands and the fringes of the FCT. He said their activities were escalated by the porous borders shared with Niger, Kaduna and Nasarawa States.

Odumosu said all hands must be on deck to address the challenges and called for heightened collaboration and cooperation of his personnel with the people for sharing of the necessary information to bring the fight against criminals to an end.

“While our war against vandals is ongoing, we must beam our searchlight on the issue of kidnapping that has become the order of the day in FCT.

“We must work closely with FCT residents at all levels to get credible information and real-time intelligence which is the key to any successful intervention.

Read Also: NSCDC destroys illegal refineries in Rivers

“Without information to work with, there is little or nothing the security agencies can do.

“We must therefore do all we can to bring an end to insecurity by harnessing our areas of strength and using credible intelligence as a tool.”

The Commandant hailed the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike for the support he is giving to security agencies in the Federal Capital Territory and assured him and other residents of an end to the current situation soon.

The Commandant said: “With the support of the Minister of FCT and collective efforts of security agencies, we are going to put an end to kidnappings, one chance, vandalism, and other forms of criminality in the FCT.

“I urge FCT residents to be vigilant, and security conscious and to reach out to us whenever they see any suspicious movement of individuals, groups of people, or materials.

The Commandant assured residents that the security challenges are surmountable if everyone plays their part.

“Security is everybody’s business and not that of the government or security agencies alone.

“All of us are involved and it is time to join forces to restore peace and security to the FCT.”

• Seven held over security service in Anambra

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has destroyed illegal bunkering sites and foiled operations of illegal refineries at Cutting Channel One, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The agency’s Public Relations Officers, Rivers State Command, SC. Olufemi Ayodele, said the corps had renewed vigour to combat the menace of illegal oil bunkering activities, vandalism of oil pipelines and illegal dealings in petroleum products.

Ayodele said the Marine Unit of the corps carried out the destruction following credible intelligence that some suspects vandalised Sahara Oil Well Heads and pipes and siphoned crude oil.

He said: “With full determination to combat the menace of illegal oil bunkering activities on the waterways; the Marine Unit swung into action by taking charge of the environment. Notably, the suspects took to their heels upon sighting the marine operatives.”

He said the state commandant  ordered massive destruction of all materials used in carrying out the illegal oil bunkering adding that over four different refining stations were demolished.

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The agency also arrested seven persons for allegedly providing illegal security services in Anambra State.

Head of Private Guards Company (PGC) department, Deputy Commandant, Francis Nnadi, who led the operation said the arrests were in two categories.

“The first category are those who had obtained a PGC licence earlier but failed to renew their license till date.

 He mentioned the names of the suspects and their  companies(names witheld) , while the other category of four persons arrested were unregistered and unlicensed to operate as PGCs.

According to Nnadi, intelligence also revealed that impersonators of Anambra Vigilante Group (AVG) posing as Private Guards were on the increase in the state.

He however noted that the Command had put perpetrators of the nefarious acts on the trail with a view to apprehending them.

Parading the suspects in Awka, newly deployed Commandant, Mr. Olatunde Maku vowed to sanitize the operations of Private Security Companies in the state.

He cautioned companies and individuals in the state to desist from establishing a private guard company without following due process.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said at the weekend that surveillance drones and other sophisticated gadgets its received from an organisation would be deployed against criminals who target government assets for vandalisation.

The Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, said the equipment would also be used to protect lives, especially against bandits, kidnappers and terrorists.

Audi, who received three drones and 100 high profiled self-configured walkie-talkies from international partners, assured that the NSCDC would join other security agencies to make the country hot for criminals.

The NSCDC boss, who received the gadgets on behalf of the Corps in his office, hailed Equipping the Needy Initiative (ETNI) and its partner for the kind gesture, saying it would further enhance the operations of the Corps.

A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Corps, Babawale Afolabi qouted the Commandant General as saying that ETNI has demonstrated through their donation that security is a collaborative effort.

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“Our partners in their previous visit promised partnership and true to their words, they have come to fulfil that promise today, it shows that they just don’t do the talk they walk the talk”, the CG added.

Dr Audi also gave the assurance that the gadgets donated will be optimally utilized, “anything being given has been given as a trust and the communication centre so promised will serve as a command and control centre where we will harness our national operations. The Corps is in charge of liberated areas and provides safety and security to IDP camps.”

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Equipping the Needy Initiative, (ETNI) Dr Benedict Aliku who came with other security experts from the United States, said their donation is a testament to their commitment to supporting the NSCDC.

Aliku said they all firmly belief that security is a collective responsibility hence their resolve to play their part effectively.

He said the organization will explore other areas for more collaboration, hence the intention to leverage on the NSCDC Act for future endeavours.

“One such initiative as we leverage on the NSCDC Act 2003 as amended 2007 is to embark on IDP shelter projects for the needy in five states of Kaduna, Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa, and will be managed by the NSCDC,” Aliku said.

Efforts to end crude oil theft in the Niger Delta got a major boost with the arrest of an ocean-going vessel, while siphoning crude oil in an offshore location in Bayelsa state, by operatives of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL).

TSSNL, a private security firm owned by former freedom fighter, Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, in a joint operation with men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), apprehended the vessel identified as MT KALI, Thursday night.

This arrest came barely 24 hours after the Nigerian Navy led by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, launched a new outfit, ‘Operation Delta Sanity’, to combat oil theft and other maritime crimes in Warri, Delta state.

The captain and marine engineer of the vessel, identified as Adeboye David and Promise Eze respectively, as well as other accomplices, alleged to be members of some communities in the state, were seen on board the vessel in a video sighted by this reporter in Warri, Friday evening. 

According to the video, the crew and their local accomplices were siphoning crude oil onto the vessel from offshore Sokebolou field in Bayelsa state, before they were apprehended.

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It was gathered that the management of TSSNL had reported the incident to the National Security Officer (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and the board and management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

Adeboye and Eze, during an interrogation by an official of TSSNL, said the vessel came in from Lagos state, four days prior to the arrest.

According to them, they departed Lagos following assurances by their boss, simply identified as Captain Adeniyi, that they would have smooth sail to conduct their business as relevant “security” agents on the waterways had been “settled”.

Tantita’s Executive Director Operations and Technical, Captain Warredi Enisuoh, disclosed last night that the vessel is presently anchored at an NNPCL location at Oporoza, Warri Southwest council area of Delta state.

He said the suspects were kept on board the vessel as investigations continued on Friday.

Oyo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has experienced a seamless leadership transition as Commandant Augustine Padonu officially took over in a Change of Command ceremony at the State Command Headquarters in Agodi, Ibadan. 

This marked a new era for the Corps in the state. 

The proceedings began with a comprehensive tour of all Departments, Units, and facilities within the Command Headquarters, guided by the outgoing Commandant, Commandant Michael Adaralewa.

It was followed by a brief meeting with Heads of Departments, Heads of Units, Area Commanders, Sectional Heads, and Unit Commanders.

During the meeting, Commandant Adaralewa expressed confidence in Padonu’s ability to lead the Oyo State Command effectively. 

He highlighted the array of formidable officers holding various positions within the Command and emphasized the boost in morale resulting from recent promotions under the leadership of the Commandant-General, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi.

Commandant Adaralewa encouraged the management team to prioritize the interests of the Corps above their personal interests and extended a call for their support to the incoming Commandant. 

He later formally presented the handover note to Commandant Padonu, symbolizing the transfer of responsibilities. 

Thr Nation reports that Dr. Adaralewa would take up the leadership of the Osun state Command.

Reacting, Commandant Padonu after accepting the handover note and mantle of leadership, acknowledged the legacy of his predecessor and underscored his dedication to building upon the established foundation. 

He emphasized the importance of teamwork and collaboration, pledging to work hand-in-hand with all personnel to further enhance the Command’s efficiency and effectiveness in safeguarding the lives and property of the people of Oyo state.

The ceremony culminated in the symbolic exchange of flags. 

Commandant Adaralewa inspected the Guard of Honour for the last time in Oyo State Command, followed by the passing of the NSCDC flag to Commandant Padonu. 

The new Commandant then assumed the role of inspecting the Guard of Honour after the exit of the outgone Commandant, marking his official commencement of command.

A statement by the Command’s Spokesperson, DSC Samuel Opebiyi, said Commandant Padonu, a native of Badagry in Badagry local government area of Lagos state, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role. 

Giving the profile of the new helmsman, the PRO said: “Having risen through the ranks since his enlistment in 2005, he (Commandant Padonu) boasts of a distinguished career marked by leadership positions across various departments and divisions within the NSCDC. His proven track record and commitment to security operations bode well for the future of the Oyo State Command.

“He holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing from the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State, in 2004 and a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Accounting from the University of Jos in 1996.

“Commandant Padonu has served in various capacities within the NSCDC, including Head of Department (HOD) for Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) in Lagos State Command, and HOD for Intelligence and Investigation in Osun State Command. 

“He has also held several positions as Area Commander and Divisional Officer in various formations across the country including the FCT Command, Lagos State Command and Kaduna State Command. 

“Commandant Padonu is known for his strong leadership skills, strategic planning abilities and commitment to excellence. 

“Beyond his impressive career progression, Commandant Padonu brings a refined skillset honed through diverse training programs.

Read Also: NSCDC boss appoints new Commander for safe schools squad 

“He boasts certifications in areas like Inter-agency Cooperation and Conflict Resolution, Small Arms Training, Leadership Development and Enforcement and Monitoring Course, demonstrating his commitment to continuous learning and adaptability. These comprehensive trainings have equipped him with the necessary expertise to navigate complex security challenges and collaborate effectively within a dynamic field.

“NSCDC, Oyo State Command looks forward to working under the leadership of Commandant Augustine Padonu and is confident that he will lead the Command to even greater heights. 

“With a skilled and motivated leader at the helm and a dedicated team committed to excellence, the Command is poised to achieve even greater heights in upholding its crucial role of protecting the lives and property of the people of Oyo State.”