Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s government on Tuesday lauded the

officers and men of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for their commitment to the fight against oil pipeline vandalism and associated crimes.

The governor’s chief press secretary, Olisa Ifeajika, gave the commendation when NSCDC spokesman, DSC Emeka Okwuechime, visited him in Asaba.

According to Mr Ifeajika, NSCDC operatives play unique roles in protecting critical national assets and infrastructure in the state, adding that they had exhibited a high level of professionalism in the command.

“At the risk of eulogising your service, when the NSCDC came on board, l am not sure that many people gave it a chance. That is the truth because many people thought that it would not stand the test of time,” the governor’s chief press secretary stated.

He added, “But today, I am sure that l am speaking the minds of many Nigerians that the service has stood out; it has demonstrated that it can walk its talk. The outfit is quite formidable. The remarkable feat that the NSCDC has achieved, particularly in policing oil facilities, not just policing them to make sure that things don’t go wrong but getting culprits arrested, is quite commendable.”

Mr Ifeajika added that the task of securing the country and its critical infrastructure was everybody’s duty, adding that members of the public should give useful information to security agencies to enable them to guarantee peace and security in Nigeria.

He said Mr Okowa’s government often supported security agencies in Delta, adding that security challenges have made devolution of powers and state police necessary.

Responding, Mr Okwuechime said the visit was to strengthen the relationship between the Delta government and the NSCDC. He disclosed that the security agency had made many arrests in the fight against pipeline vandals.

(NAN)