The Federal Government yesterday ordered the immediate dissolution of the Anti-Vandal Unit of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) nationwide.
Commandant General of the Corps, Dr Ahmed Audi, made the announcement in Abuja, before a closed-door meeting with the 36 States and FCT Commandants as well as top management members of the agency held at its headquarters.
Audi said the dissolution was due to the poor performance of the unit in the past few months and the need to sanitise and bring fresh ideas and perspectives into its operations.
…the decision followed unprecedented reports of crude oil thefts, vandalism of critical national infrastructure, and collusion of some personnel with criminals.
Audi said the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, approved the dissolution, adding that all unapproved road-blocks mounted by NSCDC personnel across Nigeria are also dissolved with immediate effect.
He explained that the decision followed unprecedented reports of crude oil thefts, vandalism of critical national infrastructure, and collusion of some personnel with criminals, and as such the government came to the inevitable conclusion that the present Anti Vandal Unit cannot deliver on its mandate.
He said while a comprehensive investigation and probe of the activities of its personnel allegedly involved in collusion and collaboration with criminals are on-going, the Corps will leave no stone unturned to bring perpetrators of illegality amongst its ranks to book.
Audi assured that any personnel found wanting at the end of the probe would be punished appropriately.
He said the government cannot continue to watch Nigeria’s resources being depleted by criminals, while those charged with the responsibility of protecting them watched helplessly or colluded with them.
He also said the viral video of its personnel seen extorting money from innocent Nigerians was being investigated while promising that those involved would be punished in accordance with the laws of the land.
