The Director-General of Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Prof. Bola Akinterinwa, on Friday decried the marginalisation of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the fight against terrorism.

Akinterinwa spoke at the retirement lecture in honour of Dr Ade Abolurin, the immediate past Commandant-General of the NSCDC.

The event held at the Civil Defence Academy, Sauka, Abuja.

The NIIA boss stressed the need to fully incorporate the corps in the fight against Boko Haram.

“Sooner than later,” he noted, “NSCDC will be required by force majeure and by necessity to be involved in the containment of terrorist activities.

“This is simply because intelligence gathering is more critical to fighting terrorism and the people of Nigeria are more comfortable with the civil defenders.

“Consequently, it is expected that the corps will relate more easily with the people of Nigeria and put their ears on ground at all times.

“By so doing, NSCDC will become more relevant in terms of intelligence gathering for the purposes of fighting terrorism effectively.”

Akinterinwa was the guest speaker at the event with the theme: “The future of fighting against the truth in a post-Ade Abolurin era: The challenge of institutionalization.”

The NIIA boss said that the NSCDC had gained national recognition as a non-corrupt instrument of national security as a result of its continued resolution and determination to stand for the truth.

He said the corps officers and men had been brought up in such a way that they had zero tolerance for compromise and bribe-taking.

“I have been in several meetings where people prefer the civil defence agents to come and secure them.

“The reason is not far-fetched. It is not that anybody has the monopoly of the knowledge of crime and criminality, but simply because the corps has chosen the path of integrity, accountability and are law-abiding.

“The civil defenders have been brought up in such a way that they are God-fearing and therefore they do not want to hurt even a fly.

“They don’t steal and are diligent in their work, thus they now have a national recognition.

“Therefore, NSCDC is the truth and no one can fight the truth.”

The director-general also observed that the NSCDC was a multi-talented organisation, adding that its security operations were multi-faceted in orientation.

Akinterinwa noted that the immediate past commandant-general had demonstrated that, “it is not how long one stayed in power but how well one is able to carry his people along.”

He said: “What is important is whether one’s era would be remembered for what is good or bad.

“The post-Abolurin era is an era of a new source of inspiration, not only for the incumbent Commandant-General but also for the foundation of a better, stronger and indivisible organisation.” (NAN)

*Photo shows Prof. Bola Akinterinwa

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