Federal Government, on Friday, ordered the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to take over the protection of transmission lines and towers in the country.
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, gave the order during the passing-out parade of the 2nd batch of mining marshals of the NSCDC in Abuja.
Tunji-Ojo, who commended the NSCDC for doing a great job in the protection of the mining sites in the country, charged them to now focus on the protection of power and electricity assets.
Recall that Nigeria has recorded no fewer than six major vandalisation of power infrastructure and assets between December last year and May 2024.
According to the minister, “We will take it sector by sector. We will protect the power sector. We will secure the energy sector. I challenge you to rise and protect the critical national assets of Nigeria.
“The rate of vandalism and and economic sabotage going on in our transmission lines need to be looked into. In view of this, it is your job to make sure that no critical asset of government is destroyed.
“I believe that all you need is leadership and I will give you the leadership.”
Also speaking on the occasion, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, expressed delight that the revenue in the mineral sector has improved after the introduction of the NSCDC Mining Marshals.
Alake, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Mary Adah Ogbe, however, warned miners to formalise their operations or risk the wrath of the law.
NSCDC Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, in his remarks, stated that the mining sector is being threatened by the nefarious activities of illegal miners, bandits, kidnappers and terrorists.
Audi noted that the situation had led to a major setback in the development of the country’s otherwise very lucrative mining sector.
“Taking against this backdrop, the need to put in place adequate security measures towards strengthening security and safeguarding our collective patrimony cannot be overemphasized,” he said.
A total of 350 Civil Defence personnel passed out as the 2nd batch of the Mining Marshal.
