Audi Exits NSCDC, Says 283 Illegal Refineries Were Dismantled Under His Leadership
After three decades of service in uniform and five years at the helm of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, outgoing Commandant General Ahmed Abubakar Audi has retired, declaring that the Corps delivered significant victories against oil theft and economic sabotage nationwide.
In his valedictory address, Audi disclosed that at least 283 illegal refineries were dismantled during his tenure, describing the operations as part of a sustained crackdown on crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and related crimes that have continued to drain national revenue and degrade the environment.
He said the Corps strengthened its operational capacity through intelligence-driven enforcement, strategic deployments and inter-agency collaboration. According to him, the destruction of illegal refining sites was matched by arrests, prosecutions and convictions of suspected economic saboteurs, reinforcing the message that attacks on critical national assets would not be tolerated.
Illegal refineries, often hidden in creeks and remote communities, have been linked to massive crude losses, environmental pollution and recurring fires in oil-producing areas. Audi noted that disrupting these networks required persistence, enhanced surveillance and the dedication of personnel across commands nationwide.
Beyond the anti-oil theft campaign, he said the Corps expanded its role in protecting critical infrastructure, disaster management and humanitarian support, repositioning itself as a frontline agency in addressing emerging internal security threats.
Reflecting on his 30-year career, Audi thanked officers and men of the Corps and urged them to remain disciplined, professional and patriotic, stressing that the gains recorded in the fight against economic sabotage must be sustained by the incoming leadership.
Security analysts say his departure comes at a critical time, as the battle against crude oil theft remains a national priority amid efforts to boost oil production and stabilize revenues. The challenge now, they note, is for the new leadership to sustain the momentum in tackling one of Nigeria’s most entrenched economic crimes.
