Abuja – Mr Abdullahi Gana, the Commandant-General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has commended the efforts of the Nigeria Navy in tackling activities of vandals.
The commendation is contained in a statement issued by Emmanuel Okeh, the Corps’ Public Relations Officer, made available on Wednesday in Abuja.
Okeh stated that Gana made the commendation during briefing by Mr Tajudeen Balogun, the Lagos State Commandant on the arrest of vandals by the Nigeria Navy.
It would be recalled that operatives of the Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT arrested four suspected pipeline vandals with 218 jerrycans filled with petroleum products on April 10.
The suspects were subsequently handed over to the NSCDC for investigation and prosecution by the Commander NNS BEECROFT, Cmdre Abraham Adaji.
The NSCDC spokesman said Gana also commended the efforts of the Nigeria Navy in tackling the activities of vandals on the high sea, illegal bunkering and other crimes.
Gana then praised the Navy for synergising with the corps in the execution of core-mandate of combating vandals and act of vandalism in the country.
He recalled that vandals were arrested along Badagry Waterways for illegally dealing in petroleum products suspected to be scooped from vandalised pipelines following intelligence report and strategic information gathering.
The NSCDC boss said “I am using this opportunity to congratulate the Nigeria Navy and all other security agencies who are collaborating and partnering with the corps to curb vandalism.’’
He urged other stakeholders not to relent in their efforts, but continue to synergise with the corps in order to put an end to the hydra-headed crime.
Gana stressed that vandalism was an act of sabotage that should not be tolerated, adding that “it is evil and condemnable, therefore, anyone caught will face the wrath of the law.”
He appealed to the Niger-Delta Avengers to stop destroying oil pipelines, advising that they should rather seek for more diplomatic way to present their grievances.
“Destruction will do no good to anyone, rather, it will bring about air pollution and environmental degradation. (NAN)