Yuletide: Rivers NSCDC affirms readiness to combat insecurity, deploys 1752 tactical team

In her readiness to combat crimes and criminalities before, during and after the Christmas and New Year Celebration the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Rivers State Command has deployed 1725 tactical operatives on both land and Marine to Safeguard all Critical National Assets and Infrastructure in the State.

While outlining the achievements of the Command through the year 2022, the State Commandant Michael Ogar fcai. maintained that the Command has not relented in Safeguarding of all Critical National Assets and Infrastructure, Disaster Management and rescuing of victims during emergencies, Training, Supervision, Monitoring and Issuance of operating licence to Private Guard Companies, Protection of Agro-Allied Investments as well as mediating between Farmers and Herders; Combating Cultism and foiling Kidnap attempts, arrests and prosecution of vandals and Suspects for illegal dealings in Petroleum products amongst others.

“As we round up the year it behoves the Command to retrospect and outline the various achievements and successes recorded so far. This would enable the public to access and evaluate our performance knowing fully well that there is always room for improvement; from the commencement of the year till date the Command has an estimate of 148 arrests with 262 Suspects apprehended for Oil theft, Illegal dealings in petroleum products, Vandalism of Oil Pipelines and Electrical Power Installations, Advance free fraud, Cultism and other offences against the law. There were also 38 convicts and 21 convictions secured at the Court of competent jurisdiction in the State. The Peace and Conflict Resolution Unit also made remarkable success by settling 54 cases through mediations between aggrieved parties and suspects in Civil related matters”.

“It is pertinent to reiterate our unwavering commitment to Protection of Oil Pipelines, Telecommunication Equipments, Electrical Power Installations, Schools, Churches, all government buildings, INEC offices and materials most especially as criminal minded persons are noted for taking advantage of festive seasons to carry out their nefarious activities”.

“The NSCDC Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi mni, OFR. has directed that our operatives be deployed massively to protect the lives and property of Rivers State people and enhance her Security architecture at this crucial period of time. The Command has deployed 1,752 personnel from various tactical Units such as the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Marine and Land Antivandal Squad, Intelligence Department, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear and Explosives Unit (CBRNE). Specific marching order has been given to the Divisional Officers across the 23 Local Governments in Rivers State; Our undercover operatives are to be on surveillance across Churches, Mosques, Recreation Centers, Shopping Malls, Motorparks and all Public gatherings while our Uniform personnel are to constantly carry out Patrols and Quick response during emergencies”.

Commandant Ogar further relayed that the Command will continue to maintain stronger synergy with all Security Agencies in the State to forestall any criminal tendencies before during and after the Yuletide Season.

” Let me reiterate on our continuous collaborations with relevant Sister Agencies to combat all criminalities in the areas already identified as flash points. You will agree with me that illegal oil bunkering activities has reduced drastically to almost 90% as a result of the synergy between the Security Agencies in Rivers State. As we celebrate the Christmas and New Year Season; Parents and Guardians are advised to restrict their Wards from engaging in thuggery, vandalism, rape, Stealing and other Vices as anyone caught would definitely have their time in Court. We therefore solicit for prompt Intelligence and credible Information from the public in order to nip in the bud any act of unrest and breakdown of law and order”.