Ahmed Audi, Commandant General (CG) of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has ordered state Commandants to carry out massive arrests and prosecution of oil thieves nationwide.

Mr Audi said that the Commandants must deploy all machineries both on land and in the waterways to carry out the task.

The directive is contained in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by the NSCDC Director of Public Relations, Olusola Odumosu.

“I have distributed the newly acquired gunboats to you for the purpose of waging war against the enemies of our commonwealth.

“There is no excuse for failure anymore, I want to see you put a stop to revenue loss due to illegal oil activities in the nation.

“I therefore charge you to remain firm, focused and fierce with the enemies of the nation who have vowed to continue sabotaging our economy,” Mr Audi added.

He said that the timely reform and reconstitution of NSCDC Anti-Vandalism Unit would aid the commandants to track, arrest and prosecute oil thieves.

Mr Audi had on September 6 dissolved the unit and directed the dismantling of all illegal road blocks it set up nationwide.

He reminded the commandants that the timely reform of the squad as directed by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, was to rejig the corps’ war against vandals and oil thieves and enhance the protection of national assets, especially petroleum pipelines and other oil installations.

“It is also aimed at putting a stop to all forms of sabotage in the oil sector through arrests and diligent prosecution of oil thieves, their sponsors and all those dealing illegally in petroleum products.

“The reconstitution of the reformed Anti-Vandal Unit with fresh bloods who have new zeal for success is central and germane to our core mandate.

“The nation is losing a lot of revenues to illegal oil merchants and this has a debilitating effect on the economy,” he said.

He assured that NSCDC as the lead agency in the protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure, will continue its scientific synergy with other security agencies by sharing intelligence reports and avoid unnecessary rivalry with sister agencies.

“Collaborations between security agencies is very necessary to foster greater success in our efforts to ward off all threats challenging the country’s national security architecture,” he added.

(NAN)