The Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has approved the deployment of two gunboats to the Rivers State Command to strengthen security operations on the state’s waterways.
In a statement signed by Olufemi Ayodele, Chief Superintendent and Special Adviser on Media and Communication, NSCDC Rivers State Command, the deployment is aimed at enhancing the Corps’ capacity to combat crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, pipeline vandalism and other illegal activities involving petroleum products across the state.
Taking over the gunboats at Abonema Wharf, the Rivers State Commandant, Dr Dennis Reuben, commended the Commandant-General for the initiative, describing it as a significant boost to the command’s operational effectiveness.
Reuben warned oil thieves, pipeline vandals and operators of illegal bunkering activities to desist from such acts, stressing that the command would continue to pursue offenders 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,” he said.
In a separate development, NSCDC operatives arrested three suspected illicit drug peddlers during intelligence-led operations in Port Harcourt.
The first operation, conducted at Mile 3, Diobu, followed credible intelligence and complaints from residents concerning suspected drug trafficking and other criminal activities in the area.
Two suspects, identified as Joshua Ruben from Abia State and Akeem Ade from Osun State, were arrested during the operation.
Items recovered from them included substances suspected to be Tramadol, cannabis and Crystal Methamphetamine, popularly known as “Ice”, as well as two weighing scales and two mobile phones.
In another operation at Mile 1 Abali Park, an NSCDC team arrested Chika Peter, from Imo State, over alleged illegal possession and dealing in suspected illicit drugs.
The operatives also recovered parcels of suspected cannabis and smoking paraphernalia allegedly used for consuming Crystal Methamphetamine.
The NSCDC said the operations were carried out to disrupt illicit drug trafficking, substance abuse and related criminal activities in identified hotspots across Port Harcourt.
Following preliminary investigations by the command’s Intelligence Department, the three suspects and the recovered exhibits were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Rivers State Command, for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Reuben expressed satisfaction with the operational successes recorded within the first two months of his assumption of office as the 16th substantive Commandant of the Rivers State Command.
He said the command would maintain a zero-tolerance posture towards criminality while strengthening collaboration with sister security and law enforcement agencies.
The commandant also assured residents, businesses and visitors to Rivers State that the NSCDC would continue to respond proactively to credible intelligence and complaints while respecting the rule of law and fundamental rights of all persons.