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… Command Probes Allegation
By Amos Okioma, Yenagoa
An operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), serving at the Bayelsa State Command (names withheld) has allegedly defiled two sisters, aged between 12 and 10.
Our reporter gathered that the NSCDC operative, who is attached to an oil surveillance houseboat in the creeks of Nembe Local Government Area, lured the underage sisters at separate times to his apartment in Nembe-Bassambiri community where he allegedly committed the act.
It was also reliable gathered that the family of the victims are under intense pressure to accept monetary inducement to cover up the matter, while the case has been reported at the Police Division in the area.
According to the mother of the victims (names withheld), who confirmed the act, regretted that the incident was causing the children psychological trauma
Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State chapter of the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) has warned against sweeping the matter under the carpet, calling for the transfer of the matter to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for investigation and prosecution.
State Chairman of CLO, Chief Nengi James-Eriworio, while reacting to the incident, described the act as “shameful and unbecoming particularly for a law enforcement officer,” as he challenged gender-based organizations, including the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and others to take up the matter to ensure that justice is done.
Meanwhile, the Bayelsa command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) on Saturday said it is investigating reports of alleged defilement of two minors in Nembe area of the state.
The NSCDC personnel deployed for surveillance duties in the creeks of Nembe allegedly lured the underage sisters at separate times in February to his apartment in Nembe-Bassambiri community where he allegedly defiled them.
Mrs. Christiana Abiakam-Omanu, Bayelsa commandant of NSCDC said that the command is taking the allegations seriously as it negates the duties of the NSCDC which include protection of minors from sexual abuse.
She said that the incident was first reported to the Nembe Police Division where the incident took place.
Abiakam-Omanu said that the command was handling the investigation with the Police as well as its internal probe by NSCDC disciplinary committee.
She said that the command had instituted an investigation into the report and assured that if found culpable, the official would be dealt with in accordance with NSCDC’s rules and be made to face the law.
She said that the command has zero-tolerance for indiscipline amongst its fold and would spare no effort to get to the bottom of the matter and make its findings public.
“The corps is on top of the matter and if the information is found to be correct about the alleged crime the suspect will face sanctions and the law will take its course.
“The report is being handled appropriately with utmost professionalism and if it is true, disciplinary measures will be meted out and outcome will be seen shortly. It is part of our mandate to protect children and we cannot work against that,” Abiakam-Omanu said.
