Dr. Abubakar Audi, the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has announced the deployment of 30,000 personnel across the country.
This move aims to safeguard national infrastructure and critical assets during the planned nationwide protests scheduled from August 1 to August 10.
Dr. Audi stated that this proactive measure is designed to prevent criminal activities, disruption of peace, breakdown of law and order, vandalism of crucial infrastructure, and violence during the protests.
The deployment includes intelligence and other tactical units from all formations, with Zonal Commanders and State Commandants in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) tasked with supervising their personnel and monitoring the protests.
The objective is to protect lives and property and secure the nation’s critical assets and infrastructure.
Babawale Afolabi, the Public Relations Officer of the Corps, issued a statement on Monday in Abuja, indicating that the Commandant-General has implemented Standard Operating Procedures (SoP) for officers and personnel assigned to safeguard critical national assets and infrastructure.
These procedures are also intended to protect citizens’ lives and property before, during, and after the protest.
Dr. Audi emphasized the importance of professionalism and civility among the officers and men while executing their constitutional roles and responsibilities.
He stressed that the Corps would not tolerate any acts of brutality or infringement on citizens’ fundamental human rights.
“You must ensure the protest is peaceful as we do not want violence, destruction of assets, killings, and burning of properties. Therefore, it behoves you to work within the whims and caprices of the NSCDC Standard Operating Procedures and Code of Ethical Standard,” Dr. Audi said.
He reiterated the role of the NSCDC in maintaining peace and ensuring that government infrastructure, utilities, and property are adequately protected from potential threats posed by individuals who might attempt to hijack the protest for nefarious purposes.
Dr. Audi cautioned against molesting or harassing citizens who are peacefully protesting, recognizing their right to protest while asserting that they do not have the right to destroy government property.
“In light of this, I have ordered the deployment of no fewer than 30,000 personnel nationwide. This includes Intelligence and other Tactical Units across all Formations. The Zonal Commanders and all State Commandants in the 36 States and FCT are to supervise their personnel and monitor the protest to ensure the protection of lives and property, as well as securing the nation’s critical assets and infrastructure,” he added.
Dr. Audi issued a stern warning against over-zealousness, bullying, and human rights violations, making it clear that the Corps would not condone any actions that damage the NSCDC’s reputation.
He also appealed to Nigerian youths to avoid being manipulated by individuals with sinister intentions and to adopt dialogue in their protests.
Any attempts to destroy or vandalize national facilities and infrastructure would not be tolerated.
The Commandant-General affirmed that the NSCDC would continue to collaborate with other sister security agencies to promote peaceful coexistence and strengthen the nation’s overall security architecture.
