The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 55,000 operatives across the country to safeguard citizens and protect critical national assets during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The deployment, ordered by the Commandant General of the Corps, Prof. Ahmed Audi, is part of joint security efforts aimed at maintaining peace and order throughout the festive period.

Prof. Audi explained that the initiative was necessary to reinforce the nation’s security framework, noting that criminal elements often exploit festive periods to carry out attacks.

“Criminal-minded persons utilize festive periods to carry out their sinister and unscrupulous activities,” he said.

He emphasized that threats arising from banditry, kidnapping, farmer-herder clashes, terrorism, and insurgency could be effectively addressed if citizens adopt a culture of providing “credible and sustained intelligence to concerned security agencies.”

Coordinated Operations

In a statement signed by NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, Prof. Audi directed all Zonal Commanders to oversee operations within their jurisdictions, while State Commandants are tasked with coordinating Area Commands, Divisional Offices, and other formations.

The operatives, drawn from both covert and overt units, have been strategically deployed to ensure “there would be no breathing space for criminal elements or criminalities within the period.”

Prof. Audi urged citizens to work closely with the Corps by sharing timely information.

“It is imperative for members of the public to trust and collaborate with us by giving us credible and timely information to enable us to act swiftly in order to prevent crimes rather than being reactive,” he stated.

He added: “Our unwavering commitment is to ensure a safe and secure environment, and that can only be possible when there is public support for security agencies.”

The Commandant General assured that the NSCDC would continue to operate in synergy with sister security agencies to guarantee safety and create a peaceful environment for citizens to carry out developmental activities during the yuletide season.