The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has recorded 81 major operations against oil theft and related crimes in Rivers State within the review period.

State Commandant, Dennis Reuben, disclosed this during a media briefing at the command headquarters in Port Harcourt on Saturday. He said the figure reflects the command’s renewed drive to secure oil installations and protect national assets.

According to Reuben, the operations were carried out across different flashpoints in the state where illegal bunkering, pipeline vandalism and oil theft are prevalent.

He explained that the command intensified patrols, raids and surveillance in collaboration with other security agencies to disrupt the activities of oil thieves and their collaborators.

“These operations were targeted at illegal refining sites, storage facilities and points where stolen crude and refined products are moved,” the commandant stated.

Reuben noted that the mandate of the NSCDC includes the protection of critical national infrastructure, and oil facilities in Rivers remain a priority because of their contribution to national revenue.

He said the results of the 81 operations demonstrate the command’s commitment to reducing economic sabotage and ensuring that oil and gas assets are not destroyed by criminal elements.

The commandant added that arrests were made and exhibits recovered during the operations, but declined to give specific figures, saying investigations are still ongoing and some suspects are being prosecuted.

He also called on community leaders, youth groups and residents to support the corps by providing timely information on suspicious activities around pipelines and oil facilities.

Reuben warned that the NSCDC would not relent in its efforts, stressing that anyone found culpable of oil theft or vandalism will face the full weight of the law.

“The fight against oil theft is continuous. We are strengthening our operations to ensure that Rivers State and the nation do not continue to lose resources to criminals,” he said.

The commandant urged oil companies to also beef up security around their assets and work closely with security agencies to prevent further attacks on infrastructure.