The Federal Government has deployed 10,000 Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps personnel to curb further attacks on oil pipelines against the backdrop of the blasts at oil installations in Rivers State between Sunday and Tuesday.
The NSCDC spokesperson, Afolabi Babawale, confirmed the deployment of anti-vandal operatives on Wednesday, stating that the operatives were tasked with protecting critical infrastructure and preventing pipeline vandalism, particularly in the Niger Delta.
“The NSCDC hereby warns against destruction and vandalism of critical national assets and infrastructure across the Niger Delta as over 10,000 operatives have been deployed to collaborate with other security agencies to provide adequate peace and security of lives and property,” Babawale said.
This came as the opposition lawmakers and Organised Labour protested the imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu.
Tinubu in a national broadcast on Tuesday announced the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu and the state assembly members.
He also nominated Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (retd.) as the state’s sole administrator.
Ibas, who was sworn in at the Aso Villa on Wednesday, will administer the state for an initial period of six months.
Before the declaration of the emergency rule, the political atmosphere in the state was charged, leading to three explosions within two days.
The explosions followed threats by Ijaw groups against the push to impeach Fubara, as they vowed to disrupt oil production and cripple the economy if lawmakers removed the governor.
Speaking on the deployment of 10,000 armed personnel of the NSCDC to curb pipeline vandalism, Babawale said the commands nationwide are on high alert to protect the nation’s vital assets, particularly in the Niger Delta.
Babawale stated, “The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has a statutory mandate as the lead agency in the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure.
“In this regard, the corps across the federation have placed the commands and formations on red alert to forestall all acts of economic sabotage, pipeline vandalism and destruction of government utilities.
“However, it is a notable fact that no security agency has the monopoly of strategies in tackling crime and criminalities, hence the NSCDC is working in collaboration with other sister security agencies in the protection of lives and property.”
However, more soldiers were seen in patrol vans trooping into the Government House.
ĹĺlAlso, the movement of persons and vehicles into the Government House was being subjected to heavy security scrutiny.
An aide to Fubara who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that the soldiers were occupying the Government House.
The National Assembly has slated today to debate the legality of the emergency rule declared in Rivers State by the President.
The Senate and House of Representatives shifted the debate to today amidst a groundswell of opposition to the decision.
On Wednesday, House spokesman, Akin Rotimi, announced that the President had transmitted a letter to the National Assembly on the Rivers State crisis, saying that it would be read on the floor.
That was, however, not to be.
There was an earlier indication that the plenary could be rowdy when two female lawmakers, Blessing Amadi (PDP, Rivers) and Marie Ebikake (PDP, Bayelsa) traded uncomplimentary words over the constitutionality or otherwise of the President’s decision to suspend democratic structures in the state.
At least 73 senators and 240 members of the House must vote in support of the emergency rule at the sittings of the lawmakers.
