Pix: NSCDC CG, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi

The Bayelsa State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has vowed to continue its clampdown on oil vandals in the country, despite last Thursday’s attack on its personnel.

The command said it would not be distracted in its mandate of protecting critical national assets and infrastructure in the Niger Delta region.

On Thursday, personnel of the corps, Victor Ibang, was killed and three others injured in an ambush by assailants suspected to be illegal bunkers at Igbomoturu community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area while returning from a clampdown operation on illegal refining sites.

The security operatives were attached to Tantita Security Services Limited, a surveillance contractor protecting oil assets in Bayelsa State and other parts of the Niger Delta.

The NSCDC spokesman, Diri Solomon, in a statement on Monday, confirmed the incident.

He quoted the State Commandant, Mr Ewaka Douglas, as saying that the corps would continue its clampdown operations in the state.

“The NSCDC expressed its commitment to the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure in the Niger Delta region, noting the recent attack on its men attached to Tantita Surveillance Security Services which led to the gruesome murder of NSCDC personnel in line of duty.

“The incident occurred at about 15:30 hours on Thursday 10th day of April 2025; the joint patrol team was returning from a clampdown operation where they were ambushed and an exchange of gunfire took place, but unfortunately the NSCDC lost one of his personnel.

“The NSCDC as the leading agency in the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure in the nation will not be deterred by any attack by vandals, whose aim is to sabotage the effort of the government in eradicating bunkering activities in the Niger Delta region,” the statement read.

The NSCDC high command commended the courage and resilience of the team, despite the ambush, adding that a manhunt had been launched to bring the assailants to book.

The corps condoled with the family of the deceased officer, Ibang, adding that necessary rites and benefits would be accorded him.

“The remains of the slain officer, CAI Victor Ofem Ibang, have been deposited at the morgue as the corps condoles with the family.

“Necessary rites and benefits would be accorded him in due course,” the statement read.