Oil theft: Report unruly officers, NSCDC tells media

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has called on the media to join the fight against oil theft by reporting unruly officers.

The NSCDC Commandant, Rivers State Command, Basil Igwebueze, made the call when a delegation of Energy and Maritime Reporters paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Port Harcourt to commemorate the 2023 World Seafarers Day.

Welcoming the delegation, Igwebueze disclosed that the task of manning critical national assets is to check illegal dealings in petroleum products.

He said the command welcomes all the support and partnerships it can get especially from the media to be able to checkmate the spread of illegal oil bunkering and unlicensed firearms in the country.

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Igwebueze said, “It is also on record that some criminal activities occur in the waterways, for instance, as part of the insurgencies we are witnessing in the country, we have discovered that some criminals from the neighbouring countries enter into our territory through the waters.

“They import arms into the country, so when you talk of the proliferation of weapons in the country, it is closely related to some criminal activities on the waters.

“On that effect, the federal government has helped to equip us so that we can be in a better position to check all these, especially that of illegal oil dealings is where we have our mandate centered on.”

Continuing, Igwebueze said, “You (media) will be of immense assistance to us, report us as we are, when you discover someone with unruly behavior because the people that are charged with the responsibility are human so in their efforts they may err on the side of caution.

“If they make some mistakes, then also advise us approximately to continue to guide them, to continue to urge them to perform their duties diligently.”

Earlier, the Chairman of the Energy and Maritime Reporters, Martins Giadom, who thanked the New State NSCDC Commandant stressed that the partnership with the media will boost reporting of its activities.

He said, “The World Seafarers’ Day holds immense significance as it allows us to reflect upon the incredible contributions made by seafarers worldwide.

“Oceans however end in rivers that cascade around a country. Nigeria is not an exception with its share of rivers mainly the Niger and Benue rivers that empty into the Atlantic Ocean.

“This creates unique tasks” for agencies like yours policing these rivers and rivulets because of tendencies toward criminal use of rivers, rivulets, and forests.

“As journalists, we are committed to shedding light on their endeavors, capturing their stories, and raising awareness about the challenges they face.”