Navy, NSCDC synergize to combat oil theft in Rivers

Mkpoikana Udoma

Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Navy has expressed its readiness to synergize with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC in combating pipeline vandalism, oil theft, artisanal refining and illegal oil bunkering activities in Rivers State.

The Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder, Commodore Desmond Igbo, gave the assurance during a courtesy visit by the NSCDC Commandant in Rivers State, Basil Igwebueze, at the Pathfinder Base in Rumuoluemini, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Igbo explained that the need for inter-agency collaborations and sharing of actionable intelligence cannot be undermined, since intelligence gathering was the bedrock of any effective security operations.

He disclosed that the Nigerian Navy and the NSCDC had an age-long relationship, assuring that the Command under his watch would sustain the synergy to achieve the common national goal.

Earlier, NSCDC Commandant in Rivers State, Basil Igwebueze, said the visit was imperative in order to seek for a stronger synergy with the Navy, in training and re-training of the Corps’ personnel and to further tap more knowledge from the Nigerian Navy’s operational expertise.

Igwebueze recalled the experience he gathered when Commodore Igbo was in charge of Operations and Intelligence at the Defence Intelligence Agency Course which they both attended, noting that it was a great opportunity for him to work with the Navy to combat the menace of oil theft in Rivers State.

He said, “We have a marching order from the NSCDC Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, who mandated all formations to partner strongly with all sister security agencies in order to nib in the bud all operations of illegal refineries, vandalism of oil pipelines and illegal dealings in petroleum products across the coastal region.

“On this note I sincerely request that the NNS Pathfinder continue to work with us and also give advice as well as make corrections where necessary, so that together we can boost the country’s economy and rid the nation from unscrupulous elements sabotaging the economy,” the Rivers Civil Defence boss said.