The Civil Defence Corps Decorates 402 Officers, Arrests 162 Vandals, Illegal Miners

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has decorated 402 officers with their new ranks.

This marks a major milestone for the personnel whose dedication and professionalism have continued to strengthen security in the nation’s capital.

Addressing the newly promoted officers at the ceremony, the FCT Commandant, Dr Olusola Odumosu, described the elevation as a recognition of hard work, loyalty and disciplined service, while reminding them that promotion is a call to greater responsibility, not merely a reward.

“Promotion is not an entitlement; it is a call to higher responsibility, greater discipline and enhanced service delivery,” Odumosu said. “To whom much is given, much is expected,” he advised.

He urged the officers to see their new ranks as an opportunity to deepen public trust and enhance service delivery, noting that the expectations of the government and the public increase with every step up the ladder.

The commandant further highlighted the strong operational record of the command, revealing that sustained intelligence-led operations and proactive patrols had yielded results in 2025.

According to him, the command arrested 112 suspected vandals, among them 50 illegal miners for offences ranging from the destruction of armoured and fibre-optic cables to theft of telecommunication equipment, street lights, solar panels, road crash barriers and billboards.

He said successful prosecutions following the arrests had served as a deterrent to economic saboteurs within the FCT.

Odumosu also highlighted the impact of the Agro-Rangers Unit, which interventions have helped to reduce farmer-herder conflicts and promoted peaceful coexistence in rural and peri-urban communities, contributing to improved food security.