The Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has ordered the swift deployment of 28,300 personnel to ensure adequate security and protection of critical national assets and infrastructure across the states of the federation before, during, and after the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, Babawale Afolabi, stated this in a statement on Friday in Abuja. He quoted Audi as warning the officers not to compromise, emphasizing that criminally minded individuals often exploit festive seasons to carry out their nefarious activities.
Dr. Audi decried the actions of economic saboteurs involved in illegal dealings in petroleum products, illegal mining, vandalism of electrical power installations, destruction of telecommunication equipment, removal of manhole covers, destruction of railway gadgets, and other forms of damage to government utilities meant to improve the lives of citizens and enhance the nation’s socio-economic development.
The Commandant-General charged all Zonal and State Commandants to advance their intelligence expertise, warning that vandalism of critical infrastructure in any formation would not be tolerated.
“The NSCDC remains the lead agency in the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure across the federation. This is our statutory mandate and must not be compromised.
“All hands must be on deck as we approach the end of the year. You are aware that criminally minded individuals often exploit festive seasons to perpetrate their nefarious activities,” he said.
“I, therefore, charge you to sharpen your eagle eyes and reinvigorate your intelligence tactics, as this will make you more proactive than reactive,” he added.
Dr. Audi further disclosed that the operatives deployed were drawn from all crack squads, special forces, intelligence, anti-vandal, and operations departments.
He noted that all identified flashpoints would be closely monitored.
“Recreational centers, religious gatherings, motor parks, amusement parks, shopping malls, and other significant areas would also be under surveillance.
While congratulating Christian worshippers on the celebration of the birth of Christ, Dr. Audi assured that the NSCDC would work in collaboration with sister security agencies to prevent the activities of criminal elements who might aim to cause mayhem, disrupt law and order, or vandalize government utilities.
The NSCDC boss affirmed that the Christmas and New Year celebrations would be hitch-free.
He also urged the public to provide credible intelligence to the NSCDC and other security agencies to help apprehend suspected criminals.
