By Nkechi Eze
In a bid to ensure public safety and address public apprehensions over insecurity, the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi mni, OFR, has ordered the nationwide deployment of more than 55,000 operatives to safeguard critical national assets and infrastructure, as well as protect lives and property before, during and after the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The directive was contained in an official statement signed by the National Public Relations Officer of the Corps, CSC Afolabi Babawale, who disclosed that the massive deployment was part of deliberate measures to strengthen the nation’s security architecture during the festive period, traditionally marked by increased human and economic activities.
According to the statement, Prof. Audi explained that the deployment became necessary because criminally minded individuals often take advantage of festive seasons to perpetrate various forms of crime and other unscrupulous activities. He stressed that the Corps would remain proactive in dealing with security threats such as banditry, kidnapping, farmer-herder clashes, terrorism and insurgency, noting that these challenges could be more effectively tackled if citizens embraced the culture of providing credible, timely and sustained intelligence to security agencies.
The NSCDC boss emphasized that actionable information from the public would significantly aid in the arrest of individuals and groups posing threats to national security. “It is imperative for members of the public to trust and collaborate with us by giving us credible and timely information to enable us to act swiftly in order to prevent crimes rather than being reactive,” Prof. Audi said.
He further directed all Zonal Commanders to closely monitor commands under their jurisdictions, while State Commandants were instructed to effectively coordinate Area Commands, Divisional Offices and other formations to ensure seamless operations across the country throughout the festive period.
The deployment, the statement noted, involves both covert and overt operations, with full mobilization of NSCDC personnel aimed at providing maximum human security and robust protection of critical national assets and infrastructure nationwide.
Reaffirming the Corps’ resolve, Prof. Audi stated that the NSCDC remains unwavering in its commitment to ensuring a safe and secure environment for all Nigerians, stressing that this objective could only be achieved with strong public support for security agencies. “Our unwavering commitment is to ensure a safe and secure environment, and that can only be possible when there is public support for security agencies,” he explained.
He also assured Nigerians of the Corps’ readiness to work in synergy with sister security agencies to guarantee peace and stability across the country, noting that sustained security is essential for national development to thrive during the festive season and beyond.
