The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Akwa Ibom State command, has declared war on oil thieves in the state with the launch of the state-of-the-art gunboat
The gunboat launched on Thursday, September 22, 2022 in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of the state was witnessed by representatives of the Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police, Directorate of state, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Correction Service and the Federal Road Safety Corps.
This was contained in a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSC Ekerete Friday, and made available to our correspondent in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Saturday.
The Commandant, Suleiman Mafara, while speaking at the launch, lamented the alarming statistics of oil theft in the Niger-delta region which he noted is carried out at an industrial scale, adding that with the launch of the gunboat, operatives of the command can now fight the menace both on land and water.
The statement reads in part, “These acts of economic sabotage by daredevil criminals and enemies of the state take place in creeks, tributaries, inlets and rivers where they siphon crude oil from pipelines through illegal plugins, and send to illegal refineries.
“With this gunboat and in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy and Marine Police, activities of vandals in Akwa Ibom State waterways can be checked.
“The import of this launch is enormous, as the reduction in oil theft occasioned by this war is tantamount to increase in revenue for Ikot Abasi LGA, Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.”
While admonishing the youths to look for legitimate business as the command had declared full scale war, NSCDC boss appealed for support from sister security agencies, the traditional institution, the Local Government Chairman and the good people of Akwa Ibom State.
The head of Anti-vandal Squad in the state, CSC Sunday Edem, stated that the capacity of his squad to effectively combat all forms of illegality in the oil and gas sector including: illegal oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism, oil theft, illegal refining of petroleum products, adulteration etc has been enhanced both on land and water.
He called for support from all stakeholders, including NUPENG and IPMAN as the corps intensifies its fight against oil theft in the state.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of Ikot Abasi LGA, Mr Joshua Affia, lauded the gunboat launch as a significant addition to the security architecture of the riverine community with potential to guarantee safety for lives and businesses on the waterways.
The gunboat will patrol Akwa Ibom State waterways from Ikot Abasi to Eket and Oron and also complement the already existing security.
