Ayomjde Awe
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has sanctioned 66 of its personnel across the country over various offences, including alleged involvement in arms dealing and other acts of misconduct.
The Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Ahmed Audi, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja while addressing journalists, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
Audi said the disciplinary measures, approved by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board, ranged from dismissal and compulsory retirement to demotion and formal warnings, depending on the gravity of the offences committed.
He explained that investigations established different levels of culpability among the affected personnel, adding that officers implicated in serious offences, particularly arms-related activities, would face prosecution.
“Some of them are to face prosecution while some had been dismissed after facing prosecution,” Audi said.
He added that the decision to prosecute some of the officers was informed by the seriousness and nature of the offences established against them.
The NSCDC boss stressed that the sanctions followed established disciplinary procedures, including orderly room trials and investigations by relevant staff disciplinary committees, before the cases were forwarded to the board for approval.
According to him, the affected personnel were drawn from various formations across the country, including state, zonal and area commands, the national headquarters and other operational units.
Audi warned that the corps would not shield any personnel found engaging in activities capable of undermining its integrity, professionalism and statutory responsibilities.
He described discipline as the foundation of every military and paramilitary institution, insisting that the latest disciplinary exercise was intended to strengthen internal accountability and deter other officers from abusing their positions.
“The culture of any military or paramilitary organisation stands or is built on discipline,” he said.
The Commandant-General’s disclosure comes amid growing public expectations that security agencies should strengthen internal oversight and ensure that personnel entrusted with protecting lives and property do not become involved in criminal activities.
Meanwhile, Audi disclosed that approximately 17,000 personnel had been promoted following a promotion exercise in which about 22,000 officers and men participated.
He said the successful candidates were selected based on their examination performance and the vacancies approved by the Federal Government.
According to him, the promotion results were ready and would be displayed on the corps’ notice boards to enable personnel to verify their individual outcomes.
Audi described the promotion exercise as a morale booster, particularly for deserving officers who had demonstrated commitment and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
He also commended President Bola Tinubu for providing the necessary support and enabling environment for the promotion exercise and other institutional reforms within the corps.
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