Operatives of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has intensified the launching of offensives against pipeline vandals and collaborators in Abia State.
The Command’s Spokesperson, SC Ndukwe Agu Egwu said in a statement the offensive was in line with the commitment to fully carry out the Clearance Operation mandate handed down by the Commandant General Ahmed Abubakar Audi PhD mni against all illegal Refinery Operators/dealers in the general area of Ukwa West LGA of Abia State.
The Spokesperson added that the State Commandant of NSCDC, Abia Command Ayinla Taiye Olowo fsfs has sustained the onslaught against the economic saboteurs whose main targets are the petroleum pipelines and other critical national assets and infrastructure of government at all levels.
He said the State Commandant briefed the newsmen at Ukwa West LGA of Abia State where the Operatives of the Corps have through its operation code named “OPS STING” destroyed many illegal refineries, successfully disconnected the pipes used to syphon Petroleum products from Shell and NNPC pipelines and confiscated the equipments of the fleeing suspects.
“Gentlemen of the Press, you have been invited here today 25th February, 2022 in fulfilment of my earlier promise to constantly brief you on the activities of the Command’s Anti-Vandalism Team in Ukwa West general area.
“May I remind you all that the protection of Petroleum Pipelines and other Critical National Assets and Infrastructure of government remains the Core mandate of NSCDC and the fulfilment of same has become necessary to justify the establishment of the Corps through the Act of the Parliament.
“Recall that in my last briefing with you, I told you that the Commandant General Ahmed Abubakar Audi PhD mni has promised to provide logistics to the Command to enhance our operations especially in penetrating the general area which is a very difficult terrain.
“The breakthrough we have recorded today has been made possible following the timely approval and delivery of logistics by the Commandant General.
Equally, the government and people of Ukwa West Local Government Area have been supportive thereby helping us to launch more offensive against vandals and their collaborators.” Ayinla said.
Conducting newsmen round some of the destroyed illegal refineries, the Abia NSCDC Boss added that the command’s new approach is to cut the supply chains by making demand and supply to go separate ways.
“The menace of soot and it’s concomitant health harzards has witnessed great reduction. To a large extent, we are convinced that we are winning the war.” he said.
Hybrid News gathered that Commandant Ayinla took the newsmen round the NSCDC Exhibit Yard in Ukwa West where the impounded vehicles and equipments used by the vandals in their nefarious activities were kept and assured that upon conclusion of Investigations, necessary actions shall be taken in line with the extant laws.
He commended the locals for providing credible information that enabled the successes so far recorded and charged them to remain reliable partners in this important war.