The Nigerian Navy has expressed her readiness to effectively strengthen ties with the Command Headquarters of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Rivers State most especially in combating Vandalism of oil pipelines and illegal dealings in petroleum products in the state.
Earlier the NSCDC Rivers State Commandant Basil Igwebueze paid a courtesy visit to the Commander Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder, Commodore DOC Igbo at the naval base in Port Harcourt where he hinted that the Nigerian Navy remains champion in maritime operations, hence the need to seek stronger synergy to enhance training and re-training of the Corps personnel and to further tap more knowledge from the naval operational expertise.
Commandant Basil while stating the purpose of this visit recalled the Impactful experience gathered when the Commander NNS was in charge of Operations and Intelligence at the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) Course which they both attended; he noted that it is a tremendous opportunity for him to work with the Nigerian Navy to combat the menace of Oil theft in Rivers State.
“We have a marching order from the NSCDC Commandant General Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, who mandated all formations to partner strongly with all Sisters Security Agencies in order to nip in the bud all operations of illegal refineries, vandalism of oil pipelines and illegal dealings in petroleum products across the coastal region; On this note I sincerely request that the NNS Pathfinder continue to work with us and also give advice as well as make corrections where necessary so that together we can boost the country’s economic growth and rid the nation from unscrupulous elements sabotaging the economy”.
The Commander NNS Pathfinder in his response said the need for Inter-Agency collaborations and sharing of actionable Intelligence cannot be undermined because Intelligence gathering is the bedrock of any effective Security operations. Commodore Igbo maintained that the Nigerian Navy and the NSCDC had a long aged relationship and that the Command under his watch would sustain that synergy to achieve the common national goal.
He further lauded the NSCDC Rivers State Commandant for being the first Service Commander to pay him a courtesy call upon his assumption of office as the 35th Commander NNS Pathfinder in Rivers State.
By Ajibola Adedoye