The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has declared its readiness to assume expanded responsibilities for protecting Very Important Persons, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to withdraw police officers from VIP guard duties.
NSCDC Commandant-General Dr. Ahmed Audi announced the corps’ commitment during a quarterly meeting with senior officers at the organisation’s national headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
Despite acknowledging manpower limitations, Audi emphasised that the NSCDC welcomes the additional assignment and remains dedicated to protecting Nigerians as well as Critical National Assets and Infrastructure under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Despite our size, we are not complaining, as this assignment is one the corps is ready to tackle. It is a welcome idea,” Audi stated.
The announcement comes in response to President Tinubu’s recent order requiring the withdrawal of police personnel from individual protection assignments, a move aimed at redeploying police resources to frontline security duties.
Audi explained that the meeting focused on developing strategies and operational frameworks for implementing the VIP protection mandate effectively. He revealed that the corps plans to conduct strategic consultations with stakeholders across multiple sectors to ensure smooth execution of its new responsibilities.
The Commandant-General clarified that VIP protection is not unfamiliar territory for the NSCDC, noting that operatives have previously worked alongside other security agencies in similar capacities. He highlighted that NSCDC personnel receive training from the military, particularly the special forces, which equips them for such assignments.
Audi also disclosed that the ongoing recruitment exercise conducted by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) will strengthen the corps’ manpower and enhance its operational capabilities.
The NSCDC chief warned state commandants and formation heads to perform their duties with diligence, cautioning that negligence would result in sanctions. He announced plans to reinforce monitoring mechanisms to evaluate the performance of formation heads nationwide.
Audi commended NSCDC personnel for their professionalism, resilience, and dedication to fulfilling the service’s mandate.
