The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Rivers State has dismissed widespread claims that the recent donation of 10 Hilux vans by Governor Siminialayi Fubara was related to the local government elections that took place in the state.......KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE👈
The clarification followed a viral video and accompanying narrative suggesting that the vehicles were intended to bolster security for the elections, especially after the police opted out based on a federal High Court ruling.
In the video, NSCDC personnel were seen celebrating the arrival of the vans at their office in Port Harcourt. However, the corps condemned these misleading interpretations, emphasising that they were not accurate.
Speaking on behalf of State Commandant Joachin Okafor, NSCDC spokesman Superintendent Olufemi Ayodele explained that the new commandant, upon taking office, followed protocol by visiting Governor Fubara. During this visit, he highlighted his achievements within the first week, which impressed the governor.
Consequently, Fubara donated the Hilux vans to support the NSCDC’s operations in combating crude oil theft.
Ayodele clarified that the donation of the vans occurred prior to the local government elections and was part of a broader initiative, as the governor had previously given 100 vehicles to various security agencies in the state.
He said: “However, the command got flabbergasted by various unfounded and denigrating reports currently circulating on the social media arrogating the donation of operational vehicles as gratification and compensation for participating in the just concluded local government elections.
“To set the record straight, as seen in the video circulating on the internet, the operatives of the Rivers State Command were overwhelmed with great excitement and jubilation as the command is of course fortunate to have a commandant whose assumption of office brought a long awaited transformation, progress and remarkable achievements within a period less than one month.
“The Rivers State Command is here by stating unequivocally that the vehicles were not donated for elections neither were they compensations for participating in the local government elections but to enhance the command’s land operational patrol like every other security agencies.
“Our role in the last local government election centered on routine patrol and the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure across the state based on the Intelligence report at our disposal even before the election was conducted.
“These infrastructure and amenities were provided as succour to the good people of Rivers State and should not be vandalized by hoodlums because of its negative effects on the economy of the nation and the state as well.
“We therefore urge the media from various quarters to desist from biased, unfounded and libelous statements targeted against the integrity of the Rivers State Commandant and by extension the NSCDC but rather imbibe the acceptable professional ethical standards and guiding rules of international media best practices in their social media publications and news reportage”.
“The NSCDC remains neutral, apolitical and nonpartisan in matters of elections but sincerely committed to actualizing its core mandate by combating vandalism of public utilities and swift response to rescue victims during emergency.
“The newly deployed Rivers State Commandant is an outstanding achiever, a crime fighter, a trail blazer and a Security Service Commander of repute who is fully committed to the safety and security of the good people Rivers State, projection of the Corps’ positive image and effective delivery of the NSCDC statutory mandate.
“In furtherance, our collaborations with sisters security agencies in ensuring adequate protection of the lives and property of the good people of Rivers State remains firm.”