The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has approved and deployed two gun boats to the Rivers State Command to strengthen the operational capacity of the Corps in securing the state’s waterways and combating crimes associated with the maritime environment.
The deployment is part of the Commandant General’s strategic commitment to enhancing the Corps’ capabilities in the fight against crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, pipeline vandalism and other forms of illegal dealings in petroleum products across the State.
While taking over the gun boats at Abonema Wharf, the Rivers State Commandant, Dr Dennis Reuben, commended the Commandant General for the pragmatic initiative, describing it as a significant boost to the Command’s operational effectiveness.
The Rivers State Commandant warned oil thieves, pipeline vandals and unrepentant operators involved in illegal oil bunkering to desist from their activities or leave the State, stressing that NSCDC operatives would continue to pursue perpetrators within the ambit of the law.
“Our message to oil thieves and unrepentant illegal oil bunkerers is clear: desist from these criminal activities. We will continue to go after those who violate the law, and anyone arrested will face the full weight of the law; this is necessary to protect our critical national assets and the economic interests of the nation”.
In a separate development, the NSCDC operatives acting on credible intelligence and complaints from residents, conducted an intelligence-led operation at Mile 3, Diobu, Port Harcourt, an area identified as a hotspot for suspected illicit drug trafficking and other forms of criminality.
The operation led to the arrest of two suspected drug peddlers: Joshua Ruben, male, from Abia State, resident of Ilaobuchi Street, Mile 2, Diobu, Port Harcourt and Akeem Ade, from Osun State, resident of Wokoma Street, Mile 3, Diobu, Port Harcourt.
Exhibits recovered from the suspects include substances suspected to be: Tramadol, cannabis and Crystal Methamphetamine (“Ice”), as well as two weighing scales and two mobile phones.
On the same day, operatives conducted another operation at Mile 1 Abali Park, where Chika Peter, from Imo State and resident of Sangana Street, Mile 1, Diobu, was arrested for alleged illegal possession and dealing in suspected illicit drugs.
Parcels of suspected cannabis and smoking paraphernalia allegedly used for consuming Crystal Methamphetamine were recovered from the suspect at the scene of arrest.
The operations were aimed at disrupting illicit drug trafficking, substance abuse and associated criminal activities in identified hotspots within Port Harcourt.
A statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the State Commandant, CS Olufemi Ayodele said following the conclusion of preliminary investigations by the Command’s Intelligence Department, the three suspects and recovered exhibits were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Rivers State Command, being the lead agency responsible for combating illicit drug trafficking and substance abuse in Nigeria, for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The Rivers State Commandant further expressed satisfaction with the operational successes recorded by the Command within the first two months of his assumption of office as the 16th Substantive State Commandant of NSCDC, Rivers State Command.
He reiterated that the Command under his leadership would maintain a zero-tolerance posture towards criminality, while strengthening collaboration with sister security and law enforcement agencies.
According to him, effective inter-agency cooperation remains critical to making Rivers State safer and more conducive for residents, businesses and visitors.
The Commandant further assures the people of Rivers State that the command will continue to respond proactively to credible intelligence and complaints, while respecting the rule of law and the fundamental rights of all persons.
