Yemisi Izuora
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has assured of its close collaboration with other stakeholders to fight vandalism and other forms of energy theft in the country.
The security agency said it is working closely with the electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) to protect power sector infrastructure.
The NSCDC spokesperson, Emmanuel Okeh, said: “We are working closely with the Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) to ensure adequate protection for these critical assets to avoid vandalism by unscrupulous elements.”
He noted that the NSCDC had increased surveillance around electricity installations in the country to stem the tide of vandalism of the critical national asset.
This drive is fully supported by the Commandant-General of the Corps, Abdullahi Muhammadu, who according to Okeh, had directed all State Commands and the Arms Squad to work closely with the various discos to ensure adequate protection for the facilities.
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) head of public relations and media, Ahmed Shekarau, confirmed that the company was partnering with the NSCDC to fight the menace.
“We have a multi-purpose strategy to check the menace; you remember we had visited the Commandant–General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) on the partnership.
“We have also visited the Inspector–General of Police, and he has agreed that the Force will collaborate with the AEDC to achieve the objective,’’ Shekarau said.
Acknowledging these illegal activities as a very big challenge, Shekarau said: “If I tell you the number of vandalism in Lugbe, last month alone, you will be shocked, and if I tell you the number of cables that were vandalised in Kuje, between last month and this month, you will also be shocked.”
He said that the AEDC was engaging members of the communities concerned to curtail the menace.
The AEDC spokesman highlighted: “We are engaging with the communities on this issue, because if you look at the city centres where you even have light, you have street lights, yet people still go and vandalise them; and in some of the places, the vandalism takes place in broad daylight.”
Communities are encouraged to notify the NDCDC or the nearest law enforcement of any suspicious acts linked to acts of vandalism.