By Joyce Babayeju
The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) , Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi is currently in the eye of the storm over activities of his men as it relates to pipeline vandalism illegal refineries and oil theft in the Niger Delta particularly in Rivers State.
Recall that recently the governor of Rivers state Nyeson Wike has come out hard on the activities of vandals and illegal refineries and oil theft in the state in which several security agencies particularly men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), were caught red handed irrespective of earlier denials by the CG.
Also recall that the Commandant General of the Corps had disbanded the anti-vandal unit of the Rivers State Command following allegation of complicities in the operation of illegal refineries and oil theft in the State.
As disclosed in a statement issued weekend in Abuja by the Director Public Relations of the Corps, DCC Olusola Odumosu, he said the CG has received with shock and dismay, the allegations levelled against the anti-vandal unit of Rivers State Command of the Corps by the Governor of the State, Nyesom Wike, wherein the team was accused of aiding and abetting vandals and oil thieves to carry out their nefarious activities in the State.
The statement went further to claim, “Worried by this disappointing development, the CG has ordered the suspension of head of the anti-vandal team and the disbandment of the unit with immediate effect, pending the outcome of an independent enquiry set up to look into the weighty allegations levelled against the unit by the governor”, the statement added.
Sources in the know within the Corp however point accusing fingers at the Commander General accusing him of culpability in the activities of his men.
They claim that there is no way he can claim ignorance since he is directly involved in the appointment and deployment of heads and members of anti vandal squads a duty that ordinarily should be below his status as the Commandant General.
A highly placed source within the command who pleaded anonymity, carpeted the CG and his direct involvement in appointing heads of anti vandalism units of the Corps.
“It is worrisome that he stoops so low to directly appoint his yes men to heads anti vandal units, what exactly is his interest?
He threw caution to the wind by sitting in Abuja and makes appointments out of sentiments not comoetence, the standard posting procedure he met on ground has been jettisoned in favour of some individuals, he is now expressing shock, he brought this shame upon himself and all of us” Our source said.
Another source who spoke also on conditions of anonymity stated that since the appointment of the CG he has developed a penchant for personally appointing heads of anti vandal units
“The same CG that single handedly picked these antivandal heads expecially in all oil rich Niger Delta States and region against all known norms should not be the one expressing shock. He should carry the can they are his boys, he alone exercises full control and powers over these boys. They should face the music. He knows those he appointed and should stop playing to the gallery and living in denial. What was he expecting when these boys acted as if they were above the law and laid down procedures because they had the cover of the CG himself.
His appointees are totally bereft of ideas but were only appoint based on Godfatherism, the Antivandal HOUs all over the States became uncontrollable even to their State Commandants”. He added
There have been reports of widespread sharp practices by men of anti vandal units of the Corp especially in the Niger Delta which prompted the recent operations by the Rivers State government and several officers of the NSCDC arrested.
There have been series of allegations and outcry within the service even from the State Commandants whose statutory functions have allegedly been usurped by the CG.
Investigations by our correspondent revealed that there is disquiet within the Service as a result of the questionable activities of the CG which has left many of the officers to became weary of their carrier progression.
Complaint of favouratism, Godfatherism and corruption are rife within the service.
Investigations further revealed that some field Commanders have several petitions hanging over their necks even from the office of the NSA but yet still maintaining their post because they have the protection of the CG.
Speaking on the development a security expert and Niger Delta activist, Mr Emmanuel Okenodo called for the immediate scrapping of all anti vandal squad as they have no place in the law setting up the NSCDC.
He also noted that there are so many nonfunctional commanders on field who only live from hotels to hotels and fail to monitor the activities of the bad eggs within their mist. “they dont even visit men on the field for weeks. They abandon their duty posts only to issue directives to their second in command via phone calls and text messages, operating from their home states. These antivandal boys are the richest set of officers in NSCDC and they display their wealth with impunity and no one calls them to order, what do you expect how do you think they make their money? Most of them are criminals in uniforms”
He called on the CG to retrace his steps and face the task of protecting lives and livelihood. “you can’t post your own boys from Abuja to State, anoint them and give them So much power to undermine their State Commands and their Commandants and expect them not to misbehave. He should be encouraged to Wake up from his comma, and shake away all pretensions and the shock appointments should be transpsrent and merit based, state commanders should be allowed to do their jobs and held liable if found wanting”. He said.
