CHAPTER ONE

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1   BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Oil pipeline vandalism is a subject that has contributed to dominate sociopolitical as well as discourse within Nigeria and among Nigerians. The reason being that securing and maintaining such government asset plays a vital role in a nation’s development process. Crude oil remains the central point to which Nigeria as a nation depends largely on for survival. A nation whose economies are characterized by structural rigidities, high level corruption and weak security network cannot attest that she has the potentials to be addressed a developed or developing nation.

Eradication of the crime of oil pipeline vandalism being very crucial, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps is saddled with the responsibility of protecting and preventing vandalism of major government infrastructure including the oil pipelines. In the actual sense of it, NSCDC is a Para-military agency of the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The corps is empowered to institute legal proceedings by or of the Attorney General of the Federation in accordance with provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria against any person or persons suspected to have committed an offence, maintains an armed squad in order to bear fire arms.

Memory unveils that the NSCDC has its history from the Western region of Nigeria in 1967 then called Lagos Civil Defense Committee. The Committee was tasked with the responsibility of sensitization and protection of the civil populace of Nigeria. It later metamorphosed into the present Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in 1970, saddled still with the responsibilities of educating and enlightening the civil populace on enemy attacks and how to save themselves from danger as most Nigerians living in and around Lagos then had little or no knowledge about war and its implications.

In 1984, the Corps was transformed into a national Security outfit and in 1988; there was a more significant restructuring of the corps that led to the establishment of commands in all the states of the federation having its headquarters in Abuja. On June 28th 2003, the corps became autonomous agent of the government. It makes decisions and act on them, free from the intervention of other law enforcement agencies. An Act to give statutory backing to the NSCDC passed by National Assembly was signed into law.

The Corps in collaboration with some aid agencies such as the police Joint Task Force, the Military Officers, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and others is striving to fly higher and it is displaying its potentialities. Meanwhile, the corps is still facing some fundamental challenges. The high point of this paper is the appraisal on the role of NSCDC in the reduction of oil pipeline vandalism in the Oyo state of Nigeria. Despite the varying opportunities introduced to combat pipeline vandalism in the region, the practice persists.

The security agents are unable to totally erode the unwholesome practice. The evidence of this is seen in the day to day running battle the corps encounters in the region over oil pipeline vandalism. The study is designed to inform, educate the populace and act as a guide on the various varying approaches employed by the corps on the reduction of oil pipeline vandalism, the activities of vandals in the Oyo state of Nigeria.

1.2   STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

        Pipeline vandalisation is a menace to the society in which people live in, therefore, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps which is one of the Para-military agencies of the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is saddled with the responsibility of protecting and preventing vandalism of major government infrastructure including the oil pipelines. The problem of pipeline vandalisation could be traced to poor governance, lack of job opportunities, weak institutional structure to checkmate criminals, neglect of regions by government and multinational companies, Quest in sharing and taking part in national cake. Finally, several researches has been carried out on the impact of pipeline vandalisation and its economic importance but not even a single research has been carried out on the role of NSCDC in curbing pipeline vandalisation in Oyo state.

1.3   AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

        The main aim of the study is to determine the role of NSCDC in curbing pipeline vandalisation. Other specific objectives of the study include:

1. to determine the factors affecting pipeline vandalisation in Oyo state.
2. to determine the extent to which Nigerian security and civil defense corps influence pipeline vandalisation in Oyo state.
3. to determine the socio-economic effect of pipeline vandalisation in Oyo state.
4. to proffer possible solutions to the problems.
   1. RESEARCH QUESTIONS               

1      What are the factors affecting pipeline vandalisation in Oyo state?

2      What is the extent to which Nigerian security and civil defense corps influence pipeline vandalisation in Oyo state?

3      What is the socio-economic effect of pipeline vandalisation in Oyo state?

4      What are the possible solutions to the problems?

1.5   STATEMENT OF RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

H0:   Nigerian security and civil defense corps has no significant role in curbing pipeline vandalisation.

H1:      Nigerian security and civil defense corps has a significant role in curbing pipeline vandalisation.

1.6   SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

        The study on the role of NSCDC in curbing pipeline vandalisation will be of immense benefit to the entire Oyo state in the sense that it will educate the youths of Oyo state and every other citizens in the state to be aware of the negative effect of pipeline vandalisation which could be loss of lives, livestock, houses and many other valuables. The study will also enable the government to create job opportunity for the unemployed so as to enable them to lose sight of vandalisation of any kind. The study will enable the citizens to report to the government any suspicious act of vandalisation around their community so as to tackle it early if any. Finally, the study will contribute to the body of existing literature and knowledge to this field of study and basis for further research.

1.7   SCOPE OF STUDY

        The study on the role of NSCDC in curbing pipeline vandalisation is limited to Oyo state.

1.8   LIMITATION OF STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.9   DEFINITION OF TERMS

NSCDC    Nigerian Security and Civil Defence corp.

Curbing   Restrain or keep in check.

Pipeline   Are useful for transporting water for drinking or irrigation over long distances when it needs to move over hills, or where canals or channels are poor choices due to considerations of evaporation, pollution, or environmental impact.

Vandalisation The act of deliberately destroying or damaging public or private property.