The Commissioned Female Squad of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), attached to the ‘Safe School Project’ of the federal government, has successfully foiled and thwarted over 48 kidnap attempts on schools nationwide.
The Corps Commandant-general, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, who announced the commendable feat by the NSCDC Female Squad, attributed the stride to the swift and effective response by the gallant officers whom he said have vowed to ensure maximum success of the Safe Schools Initiative Project.
He made the revelation at the last leg of the quarterly Commandant-General’s meeting with deputy Commandants-general (DCGs), Assistant Commandants-general (ACGs), zonal and state commandants and other heads of critical units of the Corps.
While revealing that the Corps has completed the training of personnel of the Safe Schools Response Team for the protection of schools, Audi said: “The Female Squad recognised the fact that the ‘Safe School Initiative’ is not just about securing physical spaces, it is also about securing the future of Nigeria. It is about ensuring that every child has the opportunity of acquiring education without fear. It is about the protection of our youths so that they can become the leaders of tomorrow.”
While expressing the confidence that the ‘Safe School Project’ will certainly be accommodated in the 2024 budget, Dr Audi added, “We expect continuity from government. The initiative has a work plan spread for about 3 years.”
The NSCDC CG, who expressed worry at the daily emergence or discovery of illegal refineries in the country, said the NSCDC has, with the commitment of his Anti-vandal team, arrested over 200 oil thieves and bunkers.
He said, “we aren’t resting as we are committed to protecting Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI). We have so far arrested over 200 vandals, convicted over 100, destroyed over 150 illegal refineries
“I must say that the continuous emergence of these illegal refineries is worrisome, but I want to assure you that the Corps is on top of the situation.”
The NSCDC boss, who also charged his top management team to be up and doing by being vigilant in providing safety and security, stressed the need for them to face the reality on ground and get connected to the Renewed ope agenda of resident Ahmed Bola Tinubu-led government.
On the quarterly meeting, he said the meeting introduced by his administration was aimed at bringing top decision makers and implementers of the Corps together to recount and appraise their performances nationwide and thus assess the level of their productivity.
He also stated that the essence was also aimed at helping them identify gaps and challenges encountered in the course of delivering on their mandates so as to marshal out strategies on better solutions.
“The essence is to help us review our scorecard, judge our performance, especially as it concerns our key mandate of securing lives and critical national assets,” he stated.
