Police, NSCDC have defined roles under the constitution – Tunji-Ojo

Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has said the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) should brace up to perform its constitutionally-given role, insisting that the constitution was clear on the role of the Corps which are to secure the nation’s critical infrastructure.

Speaking at the celebration of the World Civil Defence Day in Abuja, on Friday, the Minister said there were distinct roles in the constitution for both the Nigeria Police Force and the NSCDC and there was no reason for a clash in roles.

He said that the members of Civil Defence Corps had no reason to perform the role of the police as they had a duty to ensure that the nation’s oil pipelines were not vandalized and oil theft was a thing of the past.

He equally said they had the duty of ensuring that a stop was put to illegal mining and that life and property at mining sites were protected.

He said though they had done so much but much more needed to be done in ensuring that Nigeria’s natural resources were not stolen by vandals and that public infrastructures were protected.

The Minister said: “I have not come here to commend you but rather to tell you to brace up as there is much more that needed to be done.”

He however called for collaboration among all security apparatuses in the country to stem the tide of insecurity in the country.

The Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Audi said the

Corps had intensified patrol, monitoring, surveillance and have emplaced adequate security measures to ensure protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) in all its formations across the Country including the Federal Capital Territory to prevent violent attacks, willful damage, vandalization and sabotage.

He said: “The Corps’ Anti-Vandal Squad and the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad has continued to wage relentless war against vandals of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure and oil thieves among others.

“The sudden upsurge in the vandalization of railway tracks and sleepers is also being critically addressed as the Corps has begun an onslaught on these criminal elements/economic saboteurs. This renewed war has led to several arrests and seizures in the past one year.”

He said that between January and February 2024 alone, the Corps had made significant impact in the war against vandalization and oil theft where over 57 suspects had been arrested.

A greater percentage of the arrested vandals are those involved in the vandalization of railway tracks and sleepers.

He said: “Similarly, on 11th January, 2024 at about 0057hrs, the Corps in conjunction with the Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited also arrested a vessel, MT KALI suspected to have been involved in oil theft at the sea in Beneti, Bayelsa State.

“The Vessel was arrested with about 119 metric tons of crude oil already loaded. Twelve (12) crew members and eleven (11) community members on board were arrested and are undergoing investigation.”

Audi, who is also celebrating three years as CG, said parta of the achievements recorded from March, 2021 to date include

1,421 arrests, 933 prosecutions, 488 convictions and 233 destroyed illegal refineries.