Corrupt Vandals: Civil Defence Commander Connives With Illegal Oil Bunkerers

Secret Reporters

Dealers in illegal petroleum products in Akwa Ibom State now have a field day in moving their products from one location to another. This is no thanks to the body language of the new commander of the Anti-vandal squad of Akwa Ibom NSCDC, ACP Adamu Jafaru. SecretsReporters learned that since his assumption of office six months ago, oil thieves, illegal bunkerers, and different middlemen who deal on adulterated and illegally refined petroleum products now operate without any form of harassment.

Our reporter who encountered men of the NSCDC on the Ikot Abasi -Porthacourt expressway observed that vehicles carrying Jerry cans and drums suspected to contain illegally refined petroleum products stop and settle personnel of the NSCDC and police officers. After which, the vehicles were allowed to go without any form of searching.

As a follow-up, our reporter subsequently visited the headquarters of NSCDC in Akwa Ibom State along Ekpanya Street, Uyo on two occasions where he interacted freely with officers hanging around the office headquarters. The Anti-vandal commander was hailed and described as the new Don, who makes a lot of money from the field. One of the officers described him as a cheerful giver, who is far richer than the state commander. Further inquiries reveal a high level of connivance between NSCDC and illegal bunkers in the state under the leadership of the Anti-vandal boss.

Another officer who spoke with our reporter anonymously lamented that the squad is dominated by northerners, who connive to make money instead of arresting oil thieves. ”when last did they make an arrest? Dem no dey arrest anything again, as dem don collect enough settlement. In fact, the last time wey dem arrest, na so so fight dem dey fight” lamented the officer.

It is alleged that one Alhaji KK who is the biggest dealer in bunkering products in the state has the Anti-vandal boss on his payroll every fortnight. This settlement or bribe which SecretsReporters gather is in tens of millions is the reason why his trucks are not stopped by security agencies. It is believed that all these happen with the consent of the state commandant, Abidemi Majekodunmi who our reporter gather has some fracas with ACP Jafaaru over non-remittance of his ‘dues’ from the settlement. Our reporter also learned that NSCDC in Akwa Ibom State is on the verge of relocating to a new office complex.

Messages sent to the PRO of the organization, Mr. Umana for his reaction to the allegations were not responded to as at press time.

Mr. Adamu did not also respond to the message sent to his phone number requesting his reaction to the allegations of bribery and connivance with oil thieves and illegal bunkering.

The NSCDC as a government agency was established by a 2003 Act of parliament and empowered among other things to combat vandals and secure government infrastructure at the federal, state, and local government levels.