By Nkechi Eze
The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR, has charged officers and men of the Corps to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and commitment in the protection of Very Important Persons (VIPs), stressing that the responsibility is a sacred national trust that must never be compromised.
Professor Audi gave the charge while delivering a keynote address at a three-day VIP Leadership and Management Workshop held at the NSCDC National Headquarters, Abuja, which brought together State Commandants, VIP Commanders and Armorers from across the federation.
In an official signed statement, the National Public Relations Officer of the Corps, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) Afolabi Babawale, said the CG reminded participants that the VIP protection mandate was personally conferred on the Corps by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, making it imperative for personnel to discharge the responsibility with utmost diligence and discipline.
He warned that his administration operates a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct and would not hesitate to sanction any officer found undermining the Corps’ efforts in implementing the VIP protection mandate.
“This administration will sanction any personnel found sabotaging the Corps’ efforts in implementing the VIP mandate. This responsibility must be carried out to the admiration of the government and Nigerians to justify the confidence reposed in us,” the Commandant General stated.
The workshop, organised by the Directorate of Training and Manpower Development, was described as a strategic capacity-building intervention aimed at sharpening both the tactical and administrative competencies of the Corps’ leadership in VIP protection operations.
Speaking on the objectives of the training, the Acting Deputy Commandant General, Muktar Lawal, mni, explained that the programme is designed to strengthen leadership capacity and management skills, improve interdepartmental coordination, and reinforce professionalism in armory management and operational decision-making.
Professor Audi further emphasised that excellence, loyalty and discipline must remain the defining attributes of personnel entrusted with VIP protection duties. In this regard, he commended the VIP National Commander, Deputy Commandant of Corps Anyor Donald, for his professionalism and loyalty to duty, urging other officers to emulate such exemplary conduct.
The Commandant General noted that the dynamic nature of VIP protection requires continuous training, adaptability and adherence to best practices, adding that the Corps would continue to invest in human capacity development to meet evolving security challenges.
The event also featured goodwill messages from senior officers of the Corps, including Deputy Commandants General Zakari Ibrahim Ningi, fdc; Nnamdi Nwinyi; Pedro Awili Ideba; and Professor Tyoor Frederick Terhemba, who all echoed the need for heightened accountability, discipline and professionalism in the field.
They collectively urged participants to translate the knowledge gained from the workshop into improved operational performance, capable of enhancing the reputation of the Corps and strengthening public confidence.
The three-day workshop marks another step in the NSCDC’s broader effort to professionalise its operations and ensure that the Corps remains a dependable partner in Nigeria’s internal security architecture, particularly in the critical area of VIP protection.
