By Bose Adelaja & Peter Ofili

lagos—Lagos State Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Mr. Tajudeen Balogun has assured that pipeline vandalisation in Arepo and its environs, which has been causing sleepless nights to many Nigerians, will soon be a thing of the past.

The Commandant, who spoke during a courtesy visit to Vanguard, said one of the strategies to be used is to build on the existing synergy between the Corps and other sister security agencies.

He said: “It is this new  approach that is bringing my agency, the Nigeria Police Force and military together to tackle the lingering problem of pipeline vandalisation in Arepo. If you can recall vividly, we have to use air bombardment led by the military to dislodge the vandals, who have been carrying out criminal activities in the area. But this is not something we do all the time because of the magnitude of the destruction or damage it causes.”

He said pipeline vandalisation is a long-term problem that must be addressed through adequate planning, hence the need for all hands to be on deck.

Balogun also pointed out the sacrifices made by the agency  in the cause of securing the pipelines from the vandals, saying that some security personnel were lost including NSCDC officials.

He highlighted the core mandate of the Corps which include assisting in the maintenance of peace and order, protection and rescuing of the civil population during the period of emergencies, recommending to the minister the registration of private guard companies from time to time. He listed the  other functions as inspecting the premises of private guard companies, their training facilities and approval of same if it is up to standard, and providing intelligence information to the ministry on any matter relating to crime control generally, riot, disorder, revolt, strike or religious unrest, etc.

Calling on members of the public to give relevant information where necessary, the NSCDC boss said: “We call on members of the public to provide information as at when due and such will be treated with confidentiality as the citizens will be highly protected without any form of harassment from any criminal within the society. That is why we have well trained personnel to handle every side of the job.”