THE Commandant-General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr Ahmed Audi, has ordered his personnel to gun down suspected attackers of custodial facilities.

He further directed state corps commandants to work closely with the Nigerian Correctional Service to fortify prison facilities that had come under attack in recent times.

Addressing senior officers at a quarterly meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, the CG also demanded the timely submission of security and intelligence reports by state commandants, warning that anyone who failed to do so would be removed.

Audi said, “The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has given us a marching order to protect all custodial facilities. So, I am directing you to work closely with the correctional service to provide security at all custodial facilities in your states.

“Attackers of prisons should be spoken to in the language they understand. Anyone who attacked custodial facilities should be dealt with every means at your disposal.”

The CG disclosed that the corps in synergy with other agencies arrested 40 suspected oil thieves, and recovered 10 trucks, nine boats, 69 jerry cans/drums, 100 petroleum pipes and 83 sacks filled with suspected adulterated petroleum products in different parts of Rivers State.

Other recovered items, according to him, include seven pumping machines, seven units of 40HP Yamaha engines, one 90HP Yamaha engine and several hoses used for syphoning diesel.

Audi explained that in the last 12 months, the corps has arrested 503 suspects, while 481 were being prosecuted and 122 were convicted, noting that 79 illegal refineries were destroyed.

Our correspondent gathered that the NSCDC licensed 94 private security companies, sealed 133, renewed 849 and recommended 100 others for revocation.

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