Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — In a decisive move to reinforce the protection of Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has commissioned a Hydrocarbon and Maritime Security Command and Control Centre at its National Headquarters.
The facility, inaugurated by the Commandant General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, forms part of projects unveiled to mark the 2026 International Civil Defence Day and is designed to strengthen surveillance, coordination and rapid response across the nation’s hydrocarbon corridors.
Named after the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the command centre is expected to serve as a nerve hub for monitoring oil installations, pipelines and maritime assets vulnerable to vandalism, theft and sabotage.
Professor Audi described the new centre as a strategic intervention in the ongoing fight against oil theft and infrastructure damage.
“This facility significantly enhances our capacity to safeguard critical oil and gas assets and respond proactively to emerging security threats within the hydrocarbon and maritime sectors,” he said.
He noted that the Corps remains committed to leveraging technology, inter-agency collaboration and intelligence-driven operations to curb economic sabotage in the energy sector.
The commissioning also included a Standard Mini Fire Fighting Station and other infrastructure upgrades, but the hydrocarbon command centre drew particular attention given Nigeria’s renewed focus on boosting crude production and securing export revenues.
The operationalisation of a dedicated command and control centre signals a stronger institutional framework for protecting assets that underpin national revenue and foreign exchange earnings.
The NSCDC leadership expressed appreciation to Zuma Energy Nigeria Limited and Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited for their continued partnership in safeguarding critical infrastructure.
With oil and gas revenues central to Nigeria’s fiscal stability, officials say enhanced protection mechanisms remain a top priority in securing the country’s economic lifelines.
