Go After New Terrorists’ Group, Attackers Of INEC Offices, NSCDC Boss Orders Commandants

BY CHRISTIANA NWAOGU, Abuja

Commandant-general of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Abubakar Ahmed Audi, has raised fresh security alerts about a new dangerous terrorists’ group in the country, with a charge to its zonal and state commandants to buckle up and fish them out.

Audi, who raised concerns about the emergence of the new dangerous elements, said intelligence revealed that the group disguises and dresses like security operatives.

He made the disclosure during his last progress review/appraisal conference with zonal and states commandants for the year 2022, yesterday, in Abuja.

The NSCDC boss, who also expressed concerns over the incessant attacks on INEC facilities nationwide by a certain group of miscreants/disloyal persons threatened to hold zonal and state commandants responsible if the attacks persist.

He said, “The persistent attacks on INEC facilities nationwide is of great concern to us  as the spate of attacks on INEC facilities masterminded by some disgruntled elements to frustrate successful conduct of the 2023 election has led to both material and human losses and must be effectively checkmated and addressed to ensure a successful and a hitch free 2023 elections.”

Audi pledged that the corps under his watch will continue to synergise with the police and other sister agencies and stakeholders to safeguard INEC facilities nationwide.

He said, “There’s no way non- state actors who are bent on destroying our nation can surpass the state forces. Yes, it is true that the year 2022 has been very challenging as it is characterised by all manner of security threats, in spite of this, we must be conscious of the fact that the Corps has made a positive mark.

“We have been told that those who attack INEC offices soak bread in either gas or petrol, light it up before throwing it into these buildings. All I am saying is that somebody ought to have seen and stopped them. You have to be proactive and not reactive. Damage control is capital intensive.”

Audi, who stressed that the Corps cannot afford to fail the nation at this critical time further reminded his men and officers that by the virtue of the NSCDC Act, they are the lead agency in the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure of government.

He said the nation is preparing for the 2023 election campaigns, so the commandants  must organise conferences/workshops for officers in their states on the need to observe the Electoral Act  in line with Corps’ mandate.

While charging the commandants to work on their intelligence and coordinate their states and formations effectively, he demanded a minute – by – minute update of their findings to the national headquarters.