The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has taken a decisive step to ensure the safety of Nigeria’s Critical National Asset and Infrastructure (CNAI) ahead of the festive season by deploying 28,300 operatives across the nation.
This development was revealed in a statement by the NSCDC Spokesperson, Afolabi Babawale, on the 20th of December, 2024, in Abuja.
According to Babawale, the operatives were carefully selected from the crack squad, special force, intelligence department, anti-vandal unit, and other operations units. The deployment is aimed at thwarting the activities of economic saboteurs intent on depleting the nation’s resources.
Babawale disclosed that the personnel have been tasked with identifying and securing key flashpoints, including recreational centres, religious venues, motor parks, shopping malls, and other bustling areas.
NSCDC Commandant-General, Ahmed Audi, has also issued a stern directive to Zonal and State Commandants, emphasizing the urgency of enhancing intelligence-gathering methods.
Audi warned state heads to adopt proactive measures against vandalism, stressing that no act of destruction targeting CNAI would be condoned under his watch.
“This is our statutory mandate, so all hands must be on deck as we approach the end of the year. As you are aware, criminal-minded persons often take advantage of festive seasons to perpetrate their nefarious activities,” Audi stated.
He urged officers to sharpen their vigilance and strengthen intelligence strategies, ensuring they remain proactive rather than reactive in their duties.
The Commandant-General assured Nigerians of a hitch-free Christmas and New Year celebration while calling on the public to provide credible intelligence to the Corps and other security agencies to facilitate the arrest of criminal elements.