The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Rivers State Command has strongly condemned the illegal oil bunkering activities in Rumuekpe Emuoha Local Government Area which led to the explosion that claimed the lives of about 12 person whose identity are yet unknown while 5 Cars and 4 Tricycles were burnt to ashes.
While on assessment tour to the scene of the unfortunate incident the State Commandant Michael Ogar condemned the defiant behaviours of those engaging in illegal oil bunkering activities in the community. He maintained that though the Command condole with the families of those who lost their lives in the incident but this should be a very big lesson to perpetrators of such heinous act.
Commandant Ogar said several attempts were made to combat illegal oil bunkering in the area during the command antivandal operations when several illegal refineries were destroyed but it is quite unfortunate that they have unrepentantly continue in illegal oil bunkering business.
” Our Antivandal Squad repeatedly destroyed a good number of illegal refineries in the area but as you destroy one they refabricate another, there were times our personnel were repellled during operations but we stood firm and undeterred. This should be a warning signal to all unrepentant vandals and perpetrators of illegal dealings in petroleum products”.
The Rivers State Commandant further reiterated on the need for collaborative efforts of Security Agencies to strengthen the fight against illegal dealings in petroleum products in the area and the entire State. He also call on the traditional institutions, opinion leaders and respective stakeholders to put all hands on deck in order to end illegal oil bunkering activities in the various communities across the State.
Ogar solicited that the public should feel free to relay credible information to the NSCDC being the lead agency in the fight against vandalism of oil pipelines and the overall Safeguarding all Critical National Assets and Infrastructures in the State.
” While soliciting for actionable intelligence and credible information from the public let me use this opportunity to also call on the Multinationals to see the need for collaborations with the security agencies in the provision of advanced technological equipment that would effect signal and raise alarm when oil pipelines are being tampered with.
The Commandant relayed that the Command Disaster Management Department have assisted in the rescue operations and will continue to patrol the area to forestall escalations and further disaster.
SIGNED:
DSC OLUFEMI AYODELE Anipr
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
NSCDC RIVERS STATE COMMAND.
