Rivers: Civil defence anti-vandal unit disbanded over oil bunkering allegations

The Rivers State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has disbanded its anti-vandal unit over illegal oil bunkering allegations.

This is contained in a statement by Mr Olusola Odumosu, the Director of Public Relations at the NSCDC headquarters on Sunday, in Abuja.

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According to the statement, the corps received with shock and dismay, allegations levied against the anti-vandal unit of the Rivers Command by Governor Mr Nyesom Wike.

It further stated that the team was accused of aiding and abetting vandals as well as illegal bunkerers, to carry out their nefarious activities in the state.

“Due to the allegation, the Commandant General (CG) of the Corps, Mr Ahmed Audi, ordered the immediate suspension of the head of the state’s anti-vandals team,” it stated.

It further noted that the suspension was pending the outcome of an independent enquiry set up to look into the weighty allegations levied against the unit by the governor.

The statement noted that Audi had directed the acting deputy commandant general in charge of investigation and intelligence to summon all the personnel involved to the corps headquarters in Abuja.

It added that the commandant general explained that the move was for further investigation, to determine the level of involvement and culpability, with a view to dispensing justice appropriately.

“The swift action taken by me is to close any identified gaps in our operations and service to the nation.

“We are going to rejig the unit and fish out those spoiling the name of the corps.

“My fight against vandals, illegal oil bunkerers and those stealing our collective wealth and sabotaging our economy is unflinching.

“I will not allow a few bad eggs to spoil our name, image, credibility and integrity as we will investigate those fingered in the allegations, deal decisively with them if found guilty, to serve as a deterrent to others,” it quoted the commandant general as saying. (NAN)