– IGP Establishes Police Anti-Pipeline Vandalism Squad
THE Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC and the leadership of the Nigerian Police have pledged to join forces in combating the menace of pipeline vandalism and security threats
to key oil and gas facilities currently endangering the smooth operation of the petroleum industry.
This resolution was arrived at after a meeting between the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Engr. Austen Oniwon and the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar at the Louis Edet House in Abuja.
In his presentation, the NNPC GMD reeled out the alarming cases of pipeline vandalism across the country as well as the growing instances of attacks on operational staff of the Corporation which is posing a massive threat to the operation of the oil and gas industry at the downstream and upstream sectors.
Engr. Oniwon called on the Police to assist the NNPC in the push to eradicate the intractable incidence of encroachment of pipeline right of way which has over time assumed a frightening dimension.
The GMD used the occasion to commiserate with the Acting IGP and the Police high command on the demise of his wife as well as the death of DIG John Haruna and some Police officers in the Jos helicopter crash.
In his remark, the IGP pledged the readiness of officers and men of the Force to work with the NNPC in achieving its mandate to the nation.
Mr. Abubakar also announced the formation of a special Police Anti-Pipeline vandalism Squad dedicated to the protection and security of the nation’s vast outlay of oil and gas pipelines.
He also declared what he termed “ zero tolerance and no laxity on the issue of pipeline vandalism’’ and pledged to “deal with any officer who fails to perform,’’ in this regard.
Mr. Abubakar thanked the GMD for his show of concern and solidarity with the Police at this trying time.