VANDALISM IS A CABAL NETWORK, BUT WE HAVE CONFRONTED PERPETRATORS……Akubuiroh

VANDALISM IS A CABAL NETWORK, BUT WE HAVE CONFRONTED 

 PERPETRATORS……Akubuiroh

The issues of security challenges in Nigeria are very worrisome and have made tension rising across board.  Nigerians have been wondering when we would have a safer society that will boost major economic growth particularly as oil vandals seem to have probably advanced more. In this chat with Eben Enasco Kingsley, The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp Commandant, Mr.  Walter Akubuiroh disclosed some of his antecedents and challenges in combating oil pipeline vandals in the state

Excerpt:

SINCE YOU ASSUMED OFFICE AS THE STATE COMMANDANT WHAT WILL YOU SAY IS YOUR MAJOR IMPACT?

Well, we are not here to hype ourselves like you know; we came here with different background and experiences. However, since I assume office we have confronted vandals in the state to a reasonable level. Mostly illegal refinery has been destroyed and lots of suspects have been arrested and charged to court for onward prosecution. Most importantly, my staff has exhibited high level of discipline and commitment to duties. They have also realized the need to achieve results. By my assessment, we have set targets and accomplish them. Also in the area of general security we have collaborated with other sisters agencies to restore peace in the state.  in all aspects of security duties we have actively Participated and done well. For instant, the last Primary elections held in the state. Our men came out in numbers which was highly remarkable. we have really done a lot of networking and synergies to ensure that peace reins in the state.

Sir we are aware of your advances towards putting an end to oil vandals across the state but you have not completely achieve this feat because it is a case of the more you chase them the more they appear in other locations. What is that extra efforts put in place to ensure that   vandalism is stopped?

Vandalism is a cabal network and we are confronting those perpetrating it . They seem to have a lot of sponsors and that I think is why when we engage them they tend to spread more. But however, we have resolved to apply more technical in-depth that is far from the usual way others applied in combating them. I must confess that the temptation is very high that only an officer who intends to stand on his feet and do his job can actually achieve results. We have resisted unnecessary financial inducements of all sorts that would have stalled our operations against vandals. The only gray area for us to carry out operations effectively is poor funding and logistics. If we have 20-operational vehicles in this state I will prone down vandalism in Edo state. We have actually stretched limited resource we have and that is why as we are getting results from a point they are coming out from another angle. We are limited by shortages in logistics because we have enough men that can take on any forms of vandalisms. When I say logistics I mean operational vans to respond on time to SOS. So, by my own assessment we have done considerably well.

Away from Vandalism, the 2016 governorship election is few weeks from now, how do you intend to combat electoral violence considering the level of tension created by supporters of the political parties in the state.

You see it is a common issue for all of us as security agencies in biffing up security operations that can resists all forms of electoral malpractices in the state. We have been commended in the previous national electoral engagement because we were always equal to the tasks. We have had meetings with other security agencies even though there were hiccups. From our own angle, we would ensure our men are posted and monitored to work in the right places .we would make sure our men never compromise standards but synergize with other security agencies. It is not very easy to collaborate with other security agencies especially when some of us noticed you are from a smaller group and it is a major challenge but we are  overcoming it. That notwithstanding, we are prepared to work with other security personnel in ensuring free, fair and credible election in the state.

Going by your responses, does it suggest that the relationship between NSCDC and other security agencies particularly the Nigerian Police Force is not cordial?

Our relationship is very cordial. We have had course to work together in most operations in the state and our relationship is not in shamble. The only thing is perhaps intruding in primary objectives. If you are upcoming you probably face stiff challenges but prove yourself beyond doubt that you are combatant. Then, the only option is acceptance. We respect them as senior partners. But however, we expect them to recognize our work in the line of duty because we are working. The Civil defence is upcoming and we are championing great security strategy that will ensure safer society.

Will it be right to describe Civil Defence duties as a form of complement to other security agencies because the society seems to be confused about your primary objectives

No because we were established to protect government properties. Our main advocacy is get the job done. Our men have been upright in their duties. Nobody has ever reported any incidences of lackadaisical attitude against our men. We have gotten commendations from visually every stratum of the society of the performances of our officers. One of our mandates is to protect the citizenry right. We have been established to protect critically the infrastructures of government and its citizens. We make sure oil pipe lines are not vandalized by criminals. We also make sure other facilities such as electricity cables, water pipelines are strictly protected. These I have explained are our core mandates.

If I may quote you correctly, “we have issues of limited resources and logistics”. Now with these seemly major challenges in terms of your operations, how do you manage crisis when the needs arises

Yes even at that we have been able to keep it tight in our duties. The few operational vans we have are sent out evenly to address needs as they come even though is not rosy. We have received assurances from the national headquarters of more logistics and resources. So we are confident that they will be done. From the little resources we have we try as much as possible to fix our vans in workable conditions. The national general has been wonderful with all encouragement to keep the command upright. He has motivated us here on evidence of testimony of the job we have done.  We are a grassroots organization. We use this medium to invite everyone to support the corps to ensure that we meet our security obligations. We have enough to offer the state in terms of security operation.