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Justina Otio
Guest
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Rivers State command, has addressed allegations that the 10 Hilux vans donated to the corps by the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara were in connection with the just concluded controversial local government elections in the state.
Naija News understands that a trending video had claimed that Fubara presented the vehicles to NSCDC to enable the corps provide security for the poll after the police pulled out of the election.
However, the NSCDC has stated that the narrative is far from the truth.
Speaking on behalf of the State Commandant, Joachin Okafor, in Port Harcourt; the command’s Spokesman, Superintendent Olufemi Ayodele, explained that the new commandant upon assumption of office adhered to the tradition and visited Fubara
Ayodele said Okafor reeled out his achievements within the seven days he arrived in the state, adding that moved by the tenacity and doggedness displayed by the commandant in the war against crude oil theft, the governor donated the 10 Hilux vans.
He said the vans were designed to enhance the operational efficiency of the NSCDC Rivers State Command and that the event took place before the conduct of the local government elections.
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.”
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