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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has strengthened its operations in Rivers State with the deployment of two gunboats approved by the Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, to boost security along the state's waterways and intensify the fight against crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism.
The gunboats were received at Abonema Wharf by the Rivers State Commandant, Dr. Dennis Reuben, who described the development as a major boost to the command's operational capacity. He commended the Commandant General for the initiative and warned oil thieves, pipeline vandals and illegal bunkerers to abandon their activities or face arrest and prosecution.
Dr. Reuben said the command remains committed to protecting critical national assets and safeguarding Nigeria's economic interests, stressing that operatives would continue to pursue offenders within the confines of the law.
In a separate operation, NSCDC operatives arrested three suspected illicit drug dealers during intelligence-led raids in Port Harcourt. Two suspects, Joshua Ruben and Akeem Ade, were apprehended at Mile 3, Diobu, following credible intelligence on alleged drug trafficking activities in the area.
Items recovered from the suspects included substances suspected to be tramadol, cannabis and crystal methamphetamine, popularly known as "Ice," as well as two weighing scales and two mobile phones. In another raid at Mile 1 Abali Park, operatives arrested Chika Peter and recovered parcels of suspected cannabis alongside smoking paraphernalia allegedly used for consuming crystal methamphetamine.
Following preliminary investigations, the three suspects and the recovered exhibits were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Rivers State Command, for further investigation and possible prosecution. Dr. Reuben reaffirmed the command's zero-tolerance stance on criminality, pledging sustained collaboration with other security agencies to enhance safety and security across Rivers State.
