The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has kicked against funding and engagement of unofficial security outfits for monitoring of oil pipelines in the country.

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin at the weekend, the Kwara State Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr. Augustine Obiekwe, said such groups should not be funded by government.

He also confirmed arrest of five oil pipeline vandals, including five vehicles with vandalised oil products along Jebba and Asa Local Government Areas.

"The truth is money used to fund such groups should be channelled to the regular agency like the civil defence that is created specially for anti-vandalism and prosecution of vandals. At best, we can use them as volunteer informants. That's just how we can use these OPC and other unofficial hands", he said.

Obiekwe said other security agencies in the country were expected to hand suspected vandals to the NSCDC for prosecution, adding that NSCDC is the only agency created to prosecute suspected vandals.

"Yes, law, crime and criminality are actually interwoven. So, we believe in synergy. Though, vandalism is essentially created for civil defence corps, but where an officer of the police, army or immigration makes an arrest of a vandal, it is expected that he hands him over to NSCDC for prosecution. That's part of synergy. And when you respect the areas that belong to others, it enhances cooperation, understanding and collaboration. So, what we are saying is that if there's a case of armed robbery, we make arrest and send to appropriate quarters which is the police. If it has to do with drug addiction or drug peddling, it goes to NDLEA. So we expect that when it has to do with vandalism, or anti-vandalism, it comes to NSCDC", he said.

He lamented that the corps was no longer getting the support of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) in the task of monitoring oil pipelines "because of unresolved leadership problem within the association".