The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) yesterday inaugurated gunboats in Bayelsa State to tackle cases of pipeline vandalism and other maritime crimes in the state.
The gunboats were sent to the state command of NSCDC by the Federal Government a few days after suspected vandals attacked pipelines belonging to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) in Brass, Brass Local Government Area of the state.
The corps’ Commandant-General, Abdullahi Muhammadu, was said to be desirous of equipping the commands in the Niger Delta region to forestall further attacks on oil installations and other national assets.
The gunboats were inaugurated at the Government Jetty, Yenagoa, by the Governor of the state, Seriake Dickson, in a brief ceremony that was attended by the deputy Governor, John Jonah; Chief of Staff, Talford Ongolo and all the security commanders in the state.
Security commanders, who attended the event, were the Commissioner of Police, Peter Ogunyanwo; state Commandant, NSCDC, Desmond Agu and the Commander, Joint Force (JF), Operation Pulo Shield, among others.
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Muhammadu commended Dickson for his efforts on security adding that the governor “does not joke with security”.
Muhammadu, who was represented by the Deputy Commandant-General, Operation, Nnamdi Nwiyi, said the presence of all the security heads at the event underscored the synergy existing among them.
“This is the only state I have visited where all the service chiefs are represented in an event of this nature. It shows synergy and I really appreciate what we have seen,” he said.
In his remarks, Dickson said all the security agencies and the government had developed the habit of working together as a team.
He said his government was committed in protection of lives and properties as well as safeguarding national assets.
He asked the commandant-general to send more maritime assets to the state insisting that Bayelsa is more riverine than every other state in the country.
He thanked the officers and operatives of the state command of NSCDC and praised the dedication of the state commandant to his duties.
Dickson, however, told the commandant-general that his command in the state needed more support to enable it protect critical public installations.
He said: “Our government has a high priority for security. In our second term in office, we will consolidate on security.”
The governor called on all the misguided youths who had taken to crime to quit or face the wrath of his government and security agencies.
He said the government in partnership with security outfits would flush out “disgruntled and misguided youths out of the state.”
Dickson who later inaugurated the new headquarters of NSCDC emphasised the need for cooperation among the security agencies.
He also promised that his government would soon provide more gunboats to security agencies.
Earlier in his speech, Agu commended Dickson for all his support for the command including building the new headquarters.
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