From: Linus Oota, Lafia
The Nasarawa State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it has set up a team to commence a dusk to dawn patrol to checkmate criminality in the state.
The Commandant, Mr. Lawan Bashir-Kano, disclosed this during an interactive session with newsmen, in Lafia.
He explained that the move to set up the Special Anti Vandalisation Response Squad was to reduce criminality to the barest minimum especially with regards to vandalism of government properties across the state.
He further explained that in the first quarter of 2017, the command in the state has been engaged in a total of 97 cases, out of which 46 cases have been resolved while 5 cases were transferred to the Nigerian Police.
According to him “It is called the Nasarawa state command of the NSCDC Special Anti Vandalisation Response Squad, we have increased our presence in ministries and local governments, our aim is to provide 24 hours security in the instant of patrolling from time to time,” he said.
Another reason, according to the Commandant was due to the increased vandalism of electricity installations in the state thereby contributing to the electricity shortage currently experienced in the state and causing untold hardship on citizens.
“Our understanding with AEDC is to provide 24 securities to electricity installations. But we are only to patrol from time to time. We have realized that the trend of vandalism of the installations and transformers is continuing from time to time with brazen display of arrogance.
“We have already started the patrol from 9:00p.m to 6:00 a.m and the officers will not stand down till daybreak. This team comprises officers from the anti vandal department, department for protection of critical national assets and also operation,” He added.
He then appealed to the general public in the state to play a key role in the anti vandalism drive of the NSCDC by disseminating useful information to officers of the command on vandals, their locations and their activities.
“Our aim is to make sure we are able to work hand in hand with the general public. So, i urge them to look around, watch over things that belong to the general and inform us of any suspicious activity,” he said.