NSCDC Arrests 50 ‘militants’ In Rivers by hydroking23(m):

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 50 suspected militants in Rivers State and destroyed 15 illegal refineries in different locations in Niger Delta.

NSCDC’s Commandant General (CG) Abdullahi Muhammadu said the suspects were arrested last Wednesday night during a special operation by the corps operatives in the state.

Muhammadu told reporters in Abuja that the suspects were being screened and profiled as part of investigations to know their level of culpability in pipeline bombings and vandalism in the region.
The NSCDC chief said those indicted during investigators would be prosecuted for economic sabotage.

He said: “As at yesterday (Wednesday), 15 illegal refineries were destroyed and 50 militants were arrested. But we need to screen them to know those who would be charged to court because they are many: fifty of them, just in a night.”

Muhammadu said the mandate of the corps had been extended beyond pipeline and critical infrastructure protection to include security for dams, agro-allied businesses, farms and ranches across the country.
He said 2,000 NSCDC operatives were participating in counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast, adding that 2,700 others were undergoing training for deployment in the region.

The NSCDC chief said he had received requests for deployment of NSCDC personnel from various corporations, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Ministry of Agriculture, National Agricultural Seed Council and Ministry of Water Resources.

Muhammadu said the Minister of Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd.) had requested from the Presidency the permission to recruit additional operatives into the corps to enable it discharge its responsibility more effectively.

The NSCDC chief complained about inadequate financial allocation, urging the Federal Government to allow security agencies to maintain an account for their operations.

Muhammadu, who expressed appreciation to NSCDC officers for providing security during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, added: “I am happy with the pro-activeness and doggedness of all of you in tackling insecurity during this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration. I pray that you keep it up at all times to justify the mandate of the corps.”

The NSCDC chief pledged that the corps planned to do a lot, especially in protecting critical infrastructure.
According to him, the get-rich syndrome among youths during the “ember” months had been very high because they failed to celebrate Christmas festival in line with the Christian doctrine.

Rather, Muhammadu said youths had taken to crimes to get rich fast and become overnight celebrities.
He said as security operatives, there is need for NSCDC officers to plan its modus operandi to avert crimes and reduce such vices.

The NSCDC chief said there was no rift between the management and the officers, adding that all should be wary of those he called mischief makers who were promoting misinformation.

He said: “The NSCDC is one big happy family. We should not give room to evil-minded persons to bring in sentiments or cause division in the house, which they want to build through campaigns of calumny.”
Muhammadu advised departmental and unit heads to always inform their officers on developments to avoid rumours and speculation.