The Commandant-General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, yesterday said the corps would deploy personnel from state commands nationwide for proper surveillance of fuel supply.

He said the gesture was an effort to stem diversion of the product.

Muhammadu, who spoke during an interactive session with reporters in Abuja, noted that the move was in line with the Federal Government’s resolve to tackle fuel diversion, which has caused hardship on Nigerians.

He said: “The diversion of fuel remained a major challenge in the country and that is why the deployment of personnel in all state commands across the country becomes imperative. The era of fuel diversion is over. This step will remain a continuous exercise till the situation is normalised. NSCDC is more determined to chase sabotage out of business, including tanker drivers, independent and major oil marketers.”

The CG stated that the latest arrangement between the corps and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, was to ensure that the corps station  men strategically across the country to ensure that every truck from the depots get to their final destinations. He added that efforts were in place to provide adequate tracking system to monitor the movement of trucks.

The NSCDC boss, who decried the spate of oil diversion and oil theft in the country, said the corps was working round the clock to stem the tide.

Muhammadu attributed illegal diversion to corruption in the country and act of economic sabotage by criminal elements.

He stated that the act was driven by desperation for material acquisition at expense of Nigerians.

The commandant-general while assuring that the NSCDC would continue to do its best to ensure the security of lives and property in line with its mandate called on the media, host communities and other stakeholders to cooperate with the NSCDC and other security agencies in tackling the menace.