PRESS BRIEFING
We the leadership and members of South-South Youths Initiative, SSYI, an umbrella body for youths of the oil rich region, express deep regrets over the unfounded allegations against the outgoing Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Ogar Besong Michael on the claims that he acted unlawfully in arresting and selling of trucks caught in conveying illegally refined petroleum products.
We would not have bordered our heads with giving attentions to what is happening within any security architecture in the land, but for the sake of truth, we make bold to say that the very months that Ogar has served the nation in Rivers State that he has remained professional in the discharge of his duty.
It would be recalled that Michael Bensong Ogar was deployed to Rivers State when activities of oil thieves were at its pick, with its ripple effect having impact on the nation’s economy. It will also be noted in good records that the then governor of the state, Chief Nyesom Wike, who joined in the fight had had charged the security agencies to up their games. Like we mentioned earlier, the NSCDC led the war and today illegal oil bunkering has reduced to its barest minimum in the state. Ogar was committed to this very responsibility of protecting the nation’s critical infrastructure and asset and ensured that this mandate was delivered with all sense of responsibility and professionalism.
Under his watch as the Commandant a lot of success were recorded in the fight, many suspected vandals and oil thieves were arrested, trucks were also impounded. We make bold to stated that the protests by some individuals The action against Ogar was ill fated. This has affected a lot of of the big masquerades involved in this illicit act that they only want him out of the state so they have a feed day in their crime.
The Joint Military Taskforce sometime had in October 2022 impounded three trucks loaded with stolen petroleum products. The JTF wanted to destroy the trucks but the NSCDC insisted that that would amount to even more economic sabotage, rather that the truck be sent to court and forfeited so that the proceed would be paid to the federal government coffers. Sometime in December the JTF handed the trucks to the NSCDC and the matter was officially reported to the Attorney General of the Federation who took up the legal process.
Ogar has never acted on his own volution without having the backing of the law establishing NSCDC, the Constitution of Nigeria or on Court pronouncement or Judgement.
In the recent case that prompted the protests by members of NUPENG and IPMAN, a Court of competent Jurisdiction before His Lordship Hon. Justice S.I Mark, in Port Harcourt had based on Suit FHC/PH/MISC/470/2022, filed by the Attorney General of the Federation (Applicant) and Some Unknown Owners of Abandoned Tankers (Respondents) gave an Interim Order for the forfeiture of three trucks involved in the illegal business to the Federal Government.
His action was totally justified because he only acted based on the order of Court as sought by the Federal Government that he represents here.
NUPENG and IPMAN acted unjustly by going on protest on an issues settled by court. In a sane society all the duo would have done simply was to seek justice in court order that going against Court Judgement. Their action is only a contempt of court. What lessons are they leaving for the youths who are learning from their action.
His actions in the stated court order above were backed by law. But we do understand that the underlying fact that beats our imagination is that some top members of NUPENG and IPMAN are involved in oil bunkering. It is like a case of corruption fighting back. Because this top personnel understand that Ogar has remained a bone in their throats they wanted him out of their way in all cost.
We are pleased to state that despite all efforts by oil thieves in the region Ogar has maintained his high integrity. He has remained professional in his line of duty.
We are concerned because this action is happening to a son of the region, We urge the Commandant General of NSCDC not to act based on sentiment but utmost professionalism
We are calling on the court that gave the interim order to go after the personnel NUPENG and IPMAN for contempt of court. The people involved in undermining the order of court should be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.
We are also calling on the Commandant-General of NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Audi, not to allow self centered politicians and individual to be a deciding factors of our action against your men and officers, rather your actions should be guided by fact and professionalism.
We state that Ogar should be commended for his fruitful efforts in restoring sanity, reduction of sooth resulting from oil bunkering in the state.
Comr. IMEABE SAVIOUR OSCAR
National President, SSYI
