Winning The War Against Pipeline Vandalism in Delta State: The NSCDC Testimony By Tersoo Adagher

The Delta State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) under Akinsanya Abiodun as Commandant has remained at its best in combating crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other assorted criminalities within the Niger Delta region.

In recent times, the region has witnessed unprecedented level of insecurity with oil pipeline vandalism becoming a major problem militating against our economic development as a country.
However, with the recent launch of a special anti-vandal monitoring unit by the Commandant General of the Corps, Ahmed Audi across the country, the Delta State Command’s intelligence team is not resting on its oars as it has joined forces the CG’s Special Anti-vandal monitoring unit in the state to unveil the mystery, sponsors and perpetrators of such dastard acts and ensure they are brought to book.
This has always been the stand of the State Commandant, Akinsanya whose Command is known for its resolve and doggedness in the fight against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other crimes in the state with many arrest on ground already, despite the large market where these vandals hide large quantities of crude oil for their sharp practices.
One of the major breakthroughs in the state in recent times is the arrest of a locally made boat called “Cotonoe Boat” containing about 100,000 litres of illegally refined petroleum product suspected to be Automated Gasoline Oil (AGO) at Pessu water Side in Delta State. Overwhelmed by the raid which was carried out by men of the newly inaugurated CG’s Special Squad led by Deputy Commandant of Corps, DCC Brah, the oil thieves were reported to have taken to their heels.
Another breakthrough from the Command is the raid of Avocados Creek on the 13th June, 2022 where a combined team of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; Niger Delta Freedom Fighters and the Nigeria Army swooped in on suspected vandals reported to be vandalizing Shell pipes. During another raid, a locally made boat containing about 41 pieces of pipes was intercepted at Okologba community in Patani local Government on the above date while the suspects went at large with investigation is still on going.
The Commandant General’s Special Anti-Vandal Monitoring Unit also busted an illegal dump site in Udu LGA of the State were over 80,000 liters of petroleum product suspected to be illegally refined Automated Gasoline Oil (AGO) was hidden in under tanks with investigation currently going on to arrest those behind the crime.
With the recent announcement by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) of about a short fall of over 200,000 barrels reportedly stolen, there is no doubt that this has affected the nation’s GDP. Therefore, the creation of the CG’s special intelligence units and special anti-vandal monitoring units to curb this menace and put a stop to it totally could not have come at a better time than now. This goes a long way to show his detest against crime to the nation, the government and people of the Nigerian State.
Sadly, rather than join forces to curb these criminality, some high profile individuals in the country are said to be behind crude oil theft in the country. The Delta State Command of the NSCDC had earlier disclosed that both retired and serving uniform personnel and their relatives are behind oil theft and pipeline vandalism, illegal dealings in petroleum products and economic sabotage in the country amongst others.
There is no doubt that vandalism and oil theft has dealt a big blow on Nigeria’s daily oil production limit which has affected the economy. With the efforts of the NSCDC, particularly the Delta State Command in preventing oil bunkering, there is the need for the Delta State government to do everything possible to support the Command through provision of operational infrastructure to help in the fight against crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism and other critical infrastructure sabotage in the country.

Adagher, a Public Affairs Analyst Writes from Abuja.