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Tag: NSCDC

  • Boko Haram: Nigeria sits on gunpowder, NSCDC boss warns

    Boko Haram: Nigeria sits on gunpowder, NSCDC boss warns

    The Commandant General (CG), Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Muhammadu, has warned that Nigeria is sitting on a keg of gunpowder if the government does not work on the psyche of the adult and especially children whose parents were murdered by Boko Haram insurgents.

    This process, Muhammadu argued, ought to come before material assistance.

    He spoke in Abuja at the opening ceremony of the third edition of security management training for directors and senior managers of private security firms in Nigeria.

    Muhammadu also revealed that there are over five thousand orphans whose parents were killed in Maiduguri, Borno State.

    His words: “Terrorism in Nigeria has taken a different dimension. Some years ago, we never thought in our lives that in Nigeria we would have suicide bombers. Today, we have them among our children.

    “We have to wake up to fight this virus in our system now. I was opportune to be among the team that went to the North-East with the minister and the service chiefs.

    “What I saw on ground in the aftermath of Boko Haram, honestly, if you go there as a Nigerian, you will weep.

    “In Maiduguri alone, when we visited one of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, we saw more than 5,000 orphans.

    “Some of the members of the House of Representatives who went with us could not stand the situation. They went out crying because when you see a nine years old girl crying and you ask her, where is your father and she tells you that in her presence her father was slaughtered, what do you do? And where is your mother? She says her mother was shot in the breast and she fell down and that she had a scar on her head and you could see it.

    “So what do we do to fight this virus out of the system?”

  • NSCDC destroys 400 illegal mini refineries in Bayelsa

    NSCDC destroys 400 illegal mini refineries in Bayelsa

    The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Bayelsa says it has destroyed more than 400 illegal mini refineries operated by oil thieves in the state.

    The NSCDC Commandant, Mr Desmond Agu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa that the illegal refineries were destroyed between January and March.

    Agu said that the command now had a gunboat to fortify its operational capacity and had intensified patrols in the coastal settlements and waterways in the state.

    He said that the intensified patrols by the command had led to the arrest of ex-militant leader and his gang, whom he said, were being prosecuted.

    Agu said that the corps had deployed its personnel to provide security to critical national assets and oil facilities across the state.

    “We are on ground to ensure safety and protection of vital oil infrastructure and property within the command.

    “The command is determined to deal with the oil thieves and end their illegal businesses.

    “We have made some arrests concerning the recent cases of vandalism at Agip’s oil fields in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

    “The corps recovered the bodies of the three oil workers that died in the explosion in one of the fields on March 26. We have handed over the bodies to Agip.

    “The case has also been handed over to the Bayelsa State Police Command because it involves death and falls outside our mandate,” Agu said.

    Dr Peter Idabor, Director-General, National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), had earlier attributed the death of the oil workers to poor safety procedures at the oil field.

    Meanwhile, officials of Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) in Bayelsa and its parent company, Eni, have declined comment on the Easter Sunday’s explosion.

    Mr Fillippo Cotalini, Media Relations Manager, Eni, has yet to respond to the request sent to him through e-mail for a reaction on the explosion.

  • NSCDC and land deal in Abuja

    On line with the anti corruption stance of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, I wish to bring the attention of the government to land scams perpetrated within the offices of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Housing Unit, FCT Command.

     In 2011, the NSCDC FCT Command sold lands to members of the public under various schemes like Faith Victory Winners Estate, Danemy Land Estate, etc mostly in Abuja and all of the transactions for the land schemes were carried out within the offices of NSCDC in Apo-Gudu, Abuja with documents and titles of the properties bearing the insignia of NSCDC. I also subscribed to one of these schemes (Faith Victory Winners) based on the reputation of the NSCDC as a security organisation and a reliable one and made a total payment of one million, five hundred thousand naira into the account of NSCDC for purchase of a full plot in their Sabon Lugbe east layout.

    But to my shock and utter amazement and also many other people, the NSCDC later came out in 2013 to absolve itself from the land scheme and issued paper publications to the effect that the lands were nonexistent. The NSCDC later went ahead to sack or place on suspension officers involved in the land schemes. Since then, it has been tortuous emotionally and physically excruciating to recover the funds that were paid into the NSCDC coffers.

     It was after efforts made by subscribers to recover their funds that the NSCDC top echelon under the former Commandant made belated efforts to sanction the officers involved by reporting the matter to the ICPC after initially denying their culpability.

     Also, the ICPC has not been too helpful as it has been frustrating and delaying the efforts of subscribers to the land scheme to bring the officers involved in the fraudulent scheme to justice.

    I appeal to The Presidency to step into the matter, sanction errant officers and most importantly help us retrieve our funds. Justice delayed is justice denied.

    • By Omotayo Adekola

    Nouakchot Crescent, Abuja.

  • Gunmen kill police officer, injure NSCDC operative in Ebonyi

    Gunmen kill police officer, injure NSCDC operative in Ebonyi

    Unidentified gunmen on Friday shot and killed a policeman and wounded an operative of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) in Ebonyi State.

    The Nation learnt that the gunmen, who were said to be returning from a robbery operation along Abakaliki-Enugu expressway, started shooting indiscriminately on citing the police team.

    The Commandant of the NSCDC, Ebonyi State Command, Jibril Shyabu, said the injured operative of the corps is already receiving treatment at the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, (FETHA).

    He said the incident has brought about the need for effective synergy among security agencies in the state, and assured members of the public of adequate protection by the security agencies in the state.

    A source, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said that the hoodlums operated on motorcycles.

    The situation affected vehicular movements across the capital city, as heavily armed police officers cordoned the off roads, especially the Abakaliki end of the federal highway.

    The State Commissioner of Police, Mrs Peace Ibekwe-Abdallah, confirmed the incident, noting that the investigation into the matter has commenced.

    She said: “The command is preparing a release on the matter and would make it available soon.”

  • Fuel scarcity: NSCDC arrests Tanker driver in Kwara

    Fuel scarcity: NSCDC arrests Tanker driver in Kwara

    The Kwara Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Thursday confirmed the arrest of a Tanker driver over alleged diversion of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol.

     

    The Public Relations Officer of the Command, Mr Kunle Bilesanmi, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin.

     

    Bilesanmi reiterated tha the transporter of the product was Conoil but that it belonged to Z.A. Imam along Sobi road in Ilorin East Local Government Area, whilst the product was allegedly diverted to Akkon Filling Station in Aboto Oja in Asa Local Government Area of the state.

     

    “Our men acted on a tip-off and we rounded them up on Wednesday.

     

    “We are doing the needful by following the waybill and we have ensured that the product has been delivered to the rightful owner (Z.A Imam) today (Thursday).

     

    “This is what has been happening that is causing hardship to the people of the state and we will not take it anymore,’’ Bilesanmi said.

     

    He said the truck had a 33,000 litre-capacity, but that it was actually carrying 11,000 litres of the product.

     

    The NSCDC spokesman said before the truck was apprehended, it had already offloaded 1,950 to Akkon, and that the remaining product had successfully been delivered to Z.A. Imam.

  • NSCDC to check hoarding of fuel

    NSCDC to check hoarding of fuel

    The Commandant-General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, yesterday said the corps would deploy personnel from state commands nationwide for proper surveillance of fuel supply.

    He said the gesture was an effort to stem diversion of the product.

    Muhammadu, who spoke during an interactive session with reporters in Abuja, noted that the move was in line with the Federal Government’s resolve to tackle fuel diversion, which has caused hardship on Nigerians.

    He said: “The diversion of fuel remained a major challenge in the country and that is why the deployment of personnel in all state commands across the country becomes imperative. The era of fuel diversion is over. This step will remain a continuous exercise till the situation is normalised. NSCDC is more determined to chase sabotage out of business, including tanker drivers, independent and major oil marketers.”

    The CG stated that the latest arrangement between the corps and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, was to ensure that the corps station  men strategically across the country to ensure that every truck from the depots get to their final destinations. He added that efforts were in place to provide adequate tracking system to monitor the movement of trucks.

     

    He said the corps was also exploring new ways to monitor and protect pipelines, especially the use of technology and sophisticated gadgets to track down vandals. “I can assure you that we are already exploring new approaches which will include the massive deployment of technology as opposed to conventional approach.’’

    The NSCDC boss, who decried the spate of oil diversion and oil theft in the country, said the corps was working round the clock to stem the tide.

    Muhammadu attributed illegal diversion to corruption in the country and act of economic sabotage by criminal elements.

    He stated that the act was driven by desperation for material acquisition at expense of Nigerians.

    The commandant-general while assuring that the NSCDC would continue to do its best to ensure the security of lives and property in line with its mandate called on the media, host communities and other stakeholders to cooperate with the NSCDC and other security agencies in tackling the menace.

     

     

  • NSCDC arrests suspect for killing oil workers with dynamites

    NSCDC arrests suspect for killing oil workers with dynamites

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Bayelsa State Command, Wednesday, arrested  and paraded a suspected criminal for allegedly planting dynamites that killed three oil workers in the state on Easter Sunday.

    Three oil workers lost their lives in pipeline explosion that occurred in Olugboboro community, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

    The deceased were said to be carrying out repairs on a ruptured crude oil pipeline belonging to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) when the tragedy struck.

    But explaining the real cause of the explosion that killed the workers, the Commandant, NSCDC, Mr. Desmond Agu, said they died of dynamite explosion planted by the suspect and his cohorts.

    Agu explained that the oil workers successfully completed the repairs when the dynamites exploded and killed them.

    The Commandant gave the name of the suspect as Seimghale Perekeyi.

    He also named other fleeing accomplices as Emekoko Taribo, Pani Bulogbo, James Komo and Samuel Joyce.

    Agu said: “The NSCDC has arrested a suspected vandal by name Seimghale Perekeyi.  This vandal along with other vandals attacked Agip pipeline at Olugboboro, Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State on March 26, 2016 about 1830 hours with dynamite.

    “The anti-vandalism unit of the command trailed and arrested him (Perekeyi) while the others are at large but are still being trailed by our men.

    “The Agip had contracted the repairs to a servicing company to remediate and clamp the vandalised points. Our investigations reveal that the repair team had successfully completed the clamping on the damaged points and were leaving when explosions were heard in the nearby forest.

    “Those explosions from the forest planted by the hoodlums resulted in the death of three persons. The NSCDC rescue team swung into action and recovered three dead bodies of the oil workers on March 28 who died as a result of the explosions.”

    Agu, who paraded two other suspected oil thieves said Perekeyi would be prosecuted adding that his men on manhunt for other fleeing vandals.

    The Commandant further said a notorious illegal oil bunkerer and an ex-militant leader, alias ‘General Yeri’, wanted for vandalising Agip facilities at Perigbene in Southern Ijaw were nabbed by NSCDC operatives.

    He said they were undergoing trial and were remanded in prison custody.

    Agu further said the command destroyed more than 400 illegal oil refineries in Bayelsa.

    He stated the NSCDC’s zero tolerance for sabotage to critical national assets and stressed that the command was committed to ensuring their safety and security.

  • NSCDC arrests 13 suspected vandals in Akwa Ibom

    NSCDC arrests 13 suspected vandals in Akwa Ibom

    The Akwa Ibom State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has said it arrested 13 suspected vandals last Friday.

    The state’s Commandant, Mr Emmanuel Ojeniyi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Uyo, the state capital, that the suspects would be charged to court after investigation.

    He said: “On Friday, 13 vandals were arrested and brought to this command and we are investigating.

    “As soon as investigation is completed, they will be charged to court.”

    Ojeniyi said the collaboration of his men with other security agencies led to a reduction in vandalism across the state.

    The commandant warned vandals and other criminals to desist from damaging pipelines because the state would no longer be conducive for their business.

    He said the command would not relent in its mandate of protecting critical government infrastructure in any part of the country.

    Ojeniyi advised private security companies, which have not renewed their licences this year, to do so.

    He said the command would soon begin inspection of private guard companies, adding those without renewed licences would be sanctioned.

    The commandant noted that oil theft, adulteration and vandalism would be eliminated with the cooperation of other security agencies.

    Ojeniyi urged residents to regard security agents as their friends and volunteer information on the activities of criminals.

  • NSCDC deploys 25,000 personnel for Easter

    NSCDC deploys 25,000 personnel for Easter

    The Commandant General (CG) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), Abdullahi Muhammadu, yesterday directed the immediate deployment of 25,000 personnel nationwide for the Easter celebration.

    Muhammadu also advised motorists to abide by the road regulations as enunciated by the Federal Road Safety Commission, (FRSC).

    The CG gave the directive at the Corps National Headquarters, Abuja, during an interactive session with officers and men of the NSCDC.

    Muhammadu said: ‘’We must all work hard to protect lives and properties of the Civil Populace and maintain peace in the society in general during this festive period and beyond.”

    To beef up security during the Easter season, he said ambulances have been stationed at strategic locations while mobile surveillance vehicles have been put to full use to monitor the activities in public places, among others.

    The Civil Defence boss, in the spirit of the season, called on Christians to emulate the exemplary life of Jesus Christ who gave His life to save mankind.

    According to a statement issued by the NSCDC spokesman, Emmanuel Okeh, Abdullahi noted that this season should not be for merry making alone, but that the haves should remember the less-privileged and share their love with them.

    He appealed to the various faiths to tolerate and be at peace with one another.

    Muhammadu seized the opportunity to call on Nigerians to be law abiding always and to be security-conscious and report any suspicious situation to the closest security agents for appropriate and necessary action.

    He appealed to motorists to give full cooperation to the FRSC personnel who are also out for their welfare and safety.

    Muhammadu called on the people of Rivers State to embrace peace, positing that, wanton destruction of lives and property would only aggravate their sufferings and put them in bad light before the rest of the world.

    In a courtesy call made by the Commandant General to the Bauchi State Governor, Barrister Abdullahi Mohammed in Abuja, the highly elated CG thanked the Governor for donating the Federal Government College, Azare in Bauchi State which is now to function as the NSCDC Command and Staff College.

    Gana appreciated the Governor and the good people of Bauchi State, who have continued to support the corps, and also in time past have given logistics to aid the agency in the discharge of its constitutional mandate.

    He assured the governor and people of Bauchi State, that the Corps will make full utilization of the Command and Staff College in Azare. He said with the establishment of the College, the officers and men of the Corps can now receive sound training that will boost their human capacity and ability to perform different assignments that require special skills.

    Abdullahi asserted that the Staff College will be well equipped and will be of high standard, promising that officers and men of the Corps will benefit immensely by receiving very robust trainings in the Command and Staff College of the NSCDC.

  • ‘5,000 stipend is an insult to Nigerian youths’

    The Commandant-General of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, Ambassador Dickson Akor has said the campaign promise of 5,000 to Nigerian youths by the All Progressive Congress, APC is an insult to Nigerian youths.

    While commending President Muhammadu Buhari for jettisoning the idea, Akor canvassed for empowerment scheme for youths as well as legislative backing to ventures and ideas that will uplift the Nigerian youths.

    The Peace corps bill which Akor said is one of various ideas will create 800,000 Nigerian youths with jobs when finally passed into law by the National Assembly.

    Speaking on the bill which scaled through the second reading in the National Assembly last week, Akor said the bill sponsored by Senate leader, Senator Ali Ndume when passed seeks to empower, develop and provide alternative employment for the youths to facilitate peace, community services and other related matters.

    Akor who spoke with newsmen saturday in Abuja on the bill said the Senate has referred the bill to the committee on Interior for further legislative actions including organizing public hearing.

    “The bill when finally passed into law has the capacity to provide alternative employment for Nigerian youths, facilitate peace, community services and nation building.

    “The bill will provide positive engagement of the youths with a view to pre-occupy them in ventures that would make them economically productive to themselves and larger society.

    “Currently in Nigeria, we are investing a lot of energies and resources to contain the menace of insurgency, militancy, kidnapping, vandalism, armed robbery, political thuggery, drug trafficking, prostitution, suicide bombing, cattle rustling and a host of other social vices.

    “These vices no doubt constitute social challenges that have retrogressive effects and implications on the economic development and security of the nation.

    “This bill seeks to give statutory functions to the existing peace corps of Nigeria which currently has over 98,000 members with well structured network of branches in 34 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory and observing adequately all its stated functions, and achievement of no small measure for an NGO.”

    The Nigerian Peace Corps was established 17 years ago alongside the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).

    The bill successfully scaled second reading after it was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara.