The newly deployed Rivers State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Joachin Okafor, has said that the fight against illegal dealings in petroleum products will be given utmost priority under his watch.
Okafor also vowed to ensure the overall protection of the nation's critical national assets and infrastructure in the state.
He hinted that Rivers State will no longer be a safe place for those stealing and refining petroleum products illegally and warned such culprits to look elsewhere.
While delivering his inaugural address, he charged officers and men to join the wagon of positive change by increasing their Intelligence skills in order to gather credible information that would enhance the arrests of vandals and illegal bunkerers in the state.
The new command helmsman also conducted the media across an illegal dump site at Igbo-Etche in Etche Local Government Area, where crude oil was stored in over 70 tanks at an abandoned construction site.
"You are all aware that the nation is loosing a lot and the economy is being sabotage because of the unscrupulous activities of crude oil thieves, our environment are also being polluted and degraded; the Rivers NSCDC is awaken to its responsibilities and my administration has zero tolerance for vandalism of pipelines and illegal bunkering.
"I advise them to relocate or better undertake a legitimate business because this Rivers State will not contain us; we have started and we will not relent in the fight even as we collaborate with the government, our sisters security agencies, community youths and traditional leaders amongst others; All hands must be on deck," he said.
The State Commandant further said the Antivandal squad also impounded 7 Drums of Automotive Gas Oil and a Truck laden with suspected adulterated petroleum products at Obioakpor Local Government and Elelenwo in Eleme Area of Rivers State respectively.
He relayed that a thorough investigation would be carried out and the command would proceed to court of competent jurisdiction to determine the fate of the suspects and the impounded products.
Okafor appreciated Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his continuous support and further pleaded for more, especially in terms of operational vehicles as the local government election approaches.
He also thanked the Commandant General Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi for the privilege to serve as the 15th substantive Commandant of Rivers State.
