TheCable

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has dissolved its anti-vandalism units across the country.

The development comes hours after NSCDC set up a panel to probe the allegation that some of its personnel extorted a petroleum marketer in Rivers.

According to a statement by Olusola Odumosu, spokesperson of the agency, Ahmed Audi, NSCDC commandant-general, announced the decision on Tuesday at a meeting with state commandants of the corps, in Abuja.

He said the directive is part of efforts to “confront the menace of oil theft in the country” and “reposition the Corps for better service delivery”.

“In view of the recent developments in some states and the unsatisfactory performance of the unit in the past few months, there is need to sanitise and bring fresh zeal to the operations of the unit,” the NSCDC commandant-general was quoted as saying.

“The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has approved the dissolution of the unit nationwide and the dismantling of all unapproved road-blocks mounted by NSCDC personnel across the country with immediate effect.

“The Minister has also directed the immediate reconstitution of the anti-vandal unit nationwide and we are going to do that without delay.

“The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence will not condone unethical practices, misconduct or misbehaviour.”

Audi also warned persons involved in illegal oil bunkering to desist, adding that efforts are ongoing to reconstitute the anti-vandalism teams within one week.

He also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the support provided to the NSCDC.

“The federal government’s support to the Corps demonstrates the seriousness government attached to addressing the issue of oil theft and the Corps is going live up to expectation without compromising standards,” Audi added.

Meanwhile, the development comes months after the NSCDC disbanded the anti-vandalism unit in Rivers over allegations of aiding illegal oil bunkering.