In order to combat pipeline vandalism and criminal trades in petroleum products, the Nigerian Navy has stated its willingness to deepen connections with the Rivers State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
When Basil Igwebueze, the commandant of the NSCDC in the Rivers State, paid a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder, Commodore Doc Igbo, the commander of the NNS Pathfinder, offered the assurance.
In order to combat criminal activity, Commodore Igbo emphasized the need for inter-agency cooperation and the sharing of actionable intelligence. He insisted that these collaborations could not be weakened because intelligence gathering is the cornerstone of any successful security operation.
Igbo promised that in order to accomplish their shared national objective, the Navy and NSCDC would maintain their current coordination.
Earlier, Rivers State NSCDC Commandant Igwebueze said the Nigerian Navy remains a champion in maritime operations, hence the need to seek stronger synergy to enhance training and re-training of NSCDC personnel and to further gather more knowledge from the naval operational expertise.
Igwebueze, according to a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Olufemi Ayodele, stated that the command has a marching order from NSCDC Commandant General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, to partner strongly with all sister security agencies to end all operations of illegal refineries, vandalism of oil pipelines, and illegal dealings of petroleum products across the coastal region.