Desmond Iwuchukwu
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC says it has set up a Disciplinary Panel to investigate the viral CCTV video of some personnel of the Corps extorting money from an Independent Petroleum Marketer in Rivers State.
The Commandant General of NSCDC Dr. Ahmed Audi in a statement warned that any member of the service caught in such a heinous crime will be severely dealt with.
He said the corps will ensure it sanctions anyone found wanting in the viral video.
Dr. Ahmed Audi noted that the Corps will adopt its internal disciplinary mechanism to address the situation and bring the perpetrators to book.
“I will make scapegoats out of these bad elements within the system to serve as a deterrent to others like them if what is seen in that video is correct.
“The Corps is out leading the fight against Oil theft and illegal oil bunkering and some bad eggs within the service are out there sabotaging our efforts, giving us a bad name and image.
“Only last week, I read the ‘Riot Act’ to all heads of the Anti-vandal unit in the Niger Delta region, this time around, I will make sure that anyone dragging our name in the mud is shown the way out.
“I have given the Investigative committee only one week to authenticate the video and submit their report which we shall act on with immediate alacrity”.
Dr. Audi reiterated that it is unfortunate and highly disgraceful for any officer of the law who ought to be custodians of Integrity, truth, and justice to be seen negotiating and extorting money from the citizens they are meant to protect.
He further explained that the Corps will adopt its internal disciplinary mechanism to address the situation and bring the perpetrators to book.
He reaffirms the Corps’ commitment to salvaging the nation from economic saboteurs carting away the nation’s crude oil and other Petroleum products.
“Only a few days ago we commissioned 8 gunboats in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to wage a full-scale war against oil theft and illegal bunkering and we will not be deterred from protecting our commonwealth and improving government’s revenue in this sector”, he said.
