Lack of constitutional backing encourages assaults on our personnel — NSCDC boss

The Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has impressed on the House of Representatives Committee on Constitutional Review to give attention to their plights and do all in their powers to include them in Nigeria’s constitution, which is soon to be amended.

He spoke at the South-South Zonal B Public Hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution, organised by the House of Representatives in Calabar yesterday.

Represented by the Assistant Commandant-General Ayinla Taiye Olowo, who is in charge of the southern region, he said it was no longer news that NSCDC personnel are repeatedly harassed, brutalised, arrested, detained, and even killed for doing what is always referred to as constitutionally guaranteed exclusive police jobs by others who say they have no constitutional backing.

“Sometimes, NSCDC personnel and their commanders are ordered to produce the Act that empowers them to carry out security and safety assignments.

“Even as brothers and sisters that share the same goal of protecting lives and property, things always change when it comes to the issue of the constitution.”

They urged the National Assembly to grant it full constitutional recognition by including it in the constitution in line with its mandate to protect lives, property, and critical national infrastructure.

Audi noted that constitutional recognition would resolve the ongoing calls for the NSCDC’s merger and would improve its effectiveness.

He traced the origin and establishment of the NSCDC to the Nigerian Civil War, highlighting the NSCDC’s evolution from a voluntary civil defence group into a full-fledged federal security outfit through the 2003 NSCDC Act.

He stated that the NSCDC is further burdened with responsibilities assigned through national security policies, including the 2019 National Security Strategy and the 2024 National Protection Policy for Critical National Assets and Infrastructure.

He appreciated the 2007 decision of the National Assembly that empowered the Corps to bear arms, along with the Nigerian Army’s subsequent support in providing training and equipment. Today, the Corps has a workforce of about 70,000 personnel.