In a bid to ensure adequate security of lives and properties as the Easter celebration approaches; the Rivers State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has deployed 1,580 tactical forces to the 23 Local Governments in the State.
While briefing the officers and men at the Command Headquarters in Port Harcourt, the State Commandant Abu Tambuwal charge the personnel to discharge their duties with utmost diligence, alertness and professionalism noting that the public has very great expectations in the NSCDC consequent on the statutory provisions spelt out in the Corps mandate by Safeguarding all Critical National Assets and Infrastructure both federal, State and local, Disaster management which includes warning the public against impending disaster, humanitarian services and rescuing of victims during emergencies, Intelligence gathering, Training, Supervision, Issuing of licences and monitoring of Private Guard Companies and on a general note; protection of lives and properties amongst others.
The Command helmsman decried all human activities leading to environmental degradation, air pollution and indiscriminate dumping and burning of refuse stressing that these activities endangers the health and wellness of the people of Rivers State. He maintained that the deployed personnel must be proactive in gathering credible and actionable Intelligence that would enhance the eradication of illegal refineries, oil theft, oil bunkering and illegal dealings in petroleum products affirming that such unscrupulous acts are tantamount to economic sabotage.
Tambuwal expressed the readiness of the NSCDC Rivers State Command to strengthen collaborations with the Traditional and Religious Institutions and other relevant sister agencies in the fight against Vandalism of oil pipelines, cultism, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) and other criminalities. He noted that all Stakeholders must awake their consciousness to the fact that oil is the mainstay of the nation and any act of sabotage by vandals and oil bunkerers will automatically impede the Nation’s Oil Revenue.
“As I charge you to be more resilient, determined and committed to the Corps statutory duties and also to abhor any behavior that is unbecoming of a public servant; I wish to sincerely appreciate our traditional rulers and religious leaders for the existing synergy with the NSCDC as I also pray that the we continue to make conscious efforts by sensitizing and encouraging the youth in various communities and religious circle to cooperate with the government and security agencies so that the State would be totally rid of Oil pipeline Vandalism and unlawful dealings in petroleum products.”
The State Commandant further relayed that the tactical squad has been deployed across the 23 Local Government of the State having identified various flash points and disaster prone areas; he said that the personnel were drawn from the Command Antivandal Squad, Marine Forces, Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Explosive Unit (CBRNE), Intelligence Team and the Rapid Respond Squad. He affirmed that they have been properly briefed to provide security coverage at strategic locations such as recreational centers, churches, mosques, motor parks and public gatherings.
While wishing the good people of Rivers State a happy Easter celebration; Commandant Tambuwal gave assurance of a peaceful festive period as he solicits the public to provide the Command with sustained intelligence and information that would enhance the arrest of criminal minded persons before, during and after the Easter celebration.
