The Presidential Task Force on Smuggling, Hoarding and Diversion of Petroleum Products has sought partnership with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to use its assets and platforms nationwide to combat economic sabotage in the oil industry.
The chairman of the task force, Tijjani Kyari Mohammed, made the request at a meeting with the NSCDC’s Commandant General, Dr. Ahmed Audi, in Abuja.
The chairman said intelligence sharing and use of the legal assets of the NSCDC would accelerate the job of the task force, also called Operation White (OPW).
He said this would also enable it to deliver on its mandate and bring those sabotaging the economy in the Oil sector to justice.
Mohammed said it was imperative to ensure sanity and check sharp practices in the oil and gas sector, stressing that the corps and the task force would, through the collaboration, effectively cover all states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in its assignment.
The task force chairman expressed appreciation to the NSCDC’s boss for the supports extended to the task force in doing its assignment since it was established.
He decried the unrepentant posture of smugglers who he said appeared bent on sabotaging government’s efforts.
But he assured Nigerians that with the support of the NSCDC and other security agencies, the task force would bring sanity to the industry as soon as possible.
Mohammed said the task force, which has seven boarder points in the country, might also require the services of the Commandant General’s Intelligence Squad (CGIS), legal support for prosecution of suspects and intelligence sharing, amongst others.
Audi, who lauded the efforts of the task force, said he had followed the activities of Operation White closely and promised further collaboration and partnership.
The NSCDC boss said the corps had confronted petroleum organised crimes and recorded 25 convictions since the beginning of the year with about 100 cases on vandalism still pending in courts.
He urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) to support the corps with working tools and other logistics to enable it diligently accomplish its task.
