The Director, Public Relations, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Olusola Odumosu, among other issues, explains the circumstances leading to the killing of seven personnel of the corps by suspected bandits at a mining site in Kaduna State on January 9, 2023

Can you tell us the circumstances surrounding the killing of your officers on January 9?

The officers were on their normal routine patrol to the mining site in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State when they got ambushed by bandits numbering over 100. The bandits opened fire on them and were burnt to death. We lost seven of our men, the Army lost four, and one vigilante was killed as well. The incident happened around 10am and after the attack, the bandits carted away the rifles of the slain operatives.

Do you suspect collusion by some community members in the area?

We did not suspect anyone at all.

How many suspects have been arrested so far?

To my knowledge, none has been arrested. However, President Buhari has directed security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of this crime are caught. All I can say for now is that the order is being carried out.

What dangers are civil defence operatives exposed to?

NSCDC is exposed to all forms of dangers associated with the provision of security services. It comes with its own hazards, dangers and risks because we go out there to confront criminals, rid the society of criminals and miscreants that want to make life difficult for me. There will always be some form of resistance because criminals do not give in easily. Generally speaking, security personnel around the world should be commended for the efforts they put in making life meaningful.

How would you describe the loss to the Corps?

I would describe the deaths of seven officers and men of the NSCDC as irreplaceable and a very serious blow to the Corps. The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Audi, was devastated when the news was broken to him. The entire NSCDC family was thrown into a state of mourning. It was indeed a sad one, losing seven officers in a day. They were officers that we knew.

But of course, we take solace in the fact that the President Muhammadu Buhari recognised the efforts of the slain officers. It goes to show that the nation appreciates what the Corps is doing in protecting lives and properties and safeguarding critical infrastructure and government assets. We can only pray for their families and ask God to continue to give them the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.

For those of us left behind, we pray that God continues to protect us because the job of securing the nation comes with its own hazards. However, we will continue to play our part and keep doing our best to secure the nation and make Nigeria safe.

What strategies is the Corps putting in place to prevent future recurrences?

The Corps is introducing measures that would minimise this kind of attack in the future. Taking certain steps in all of this involves training and retraining personnel in refresher courses that would enable them to polish the skills they already have and advance in methodology because these criminals try as much as possible to beat security agencies to the game.

Of course, we are not deterred. We are going to fortify our personnel with training, better equipment, and communication. The CG said he is going to invest heavily in the training of officers this year. All the training schools of the Corps are currently being upgraded.

Last year, the committee set up to develop a standard curriculum for the NSCDC submitted its report to the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, part of which will form the bulk of training activities that will further reposition the Corps and personnel to face challenges and equip them with different knowledge and tactics in defence.

Also, we are going to consolidate community partnership efforts in order to gain the support of law-abiding citizens in the fight against bandits and criminal elements in the country. This means that the Corps is going to step up intelligence gathering and develop visible partnerships with people that will volunteer information. We are going to gain their trust. We are enjoying the acceptance and goodwill of the people, which would go a step further to help us gather more credible intelligence to wage war against these criminal elements in the country.

Of course, there are other strategies, which, of course, cannot be put in the public domain because criminals read papers as well. However, I want to assure you that the CG has made sure all personnel of the Corps is insured in case of any eventuality.

With less than 27 days to the election, how many NSCDC personnel would be deployed across the states?

The Corps will mobilise all its officers and deploy them effectively for the election. This election is a big one. So, preparation for this election has to be commensurate with what one expects on the big day. We are going to ensure that all hands are on deck for this exercise. We are going to make use of the service of our volunteers during the election because it is an election that must not fail and that will decide the fate of the nation. We would give it all to make the election successful. There will be adequate deployment across the country, and we will be working in partnership with other stakeholders during this period.

INEC facilities are critical infrastructure, and they have come under attack, especially in the South-East. Does this show that NSCDC is living up to expectations?

NSCDC has excelled and is excelling on every front. So, the issue of not living up to expectations does not arise. Do not forget that the protection and securing of INEC facilities across the country is a multi-agency assignment, and all the stakeholders that are involved are working very hard to ensure that the election is free and fair, and this can be achieved by also ensuring that INEC’s offices are under serious security. Nigerians might not understand how these things work, but I must tell you that for INEC offices, security has been beefed up. Only yesterday, the CG met with state commandants across the states in view of the general election, and he also made it clear that closer attention should be paid to INEC offices. The issue of arsonist attacks must not be heard of.

Of course, we cannot do this all alone. We need to work with sister agencies to see if this can be achieved, but of course, we should condemn this act. Nigerians must also know, especially those hoodlums who have allowed themselves to be used by some people who want to destroy the country at all costs, that they jeopardise the future of the country. I do not see what they stand to gain by destroying INEC offices other than to cause chaos and truncate the electoral process. Like the President and INEC have assured, we are also ensuring that the election will hold as scheduled in an atmosphere of peace and tight security.

What assurance is the NSCDC giving voters that the election will be free of violence?

The 2023 general election would be no different from other successful elections held in the country. It would be a violence-free and fair election. Nigerians should know that we have come of age and are supposed to be advancing in development.

Instead of thinking about issues that would take us backward, we should concentrate on what unites us as a people and what would move the nation forward. So, I want to believe that people’s minds have been emancipated from the usual rebellious mindset where somebody somewhere can easily cajole someone to go cause mischief somewhere. Only a few elements are out there to truncate the election. They want to disorganise the process, but I want to assure them that Nigeria is prepared. Security agencies are prepared.

In the NSCDC, for instance, training and workshops are ongoing for personnel to ensure that there is conformity, security, and adequate deployment of personnel before, during, and after the election to forestall any eventuality when the election result must have been announced. Security agencies are better prepared this time around because we know that the future of Nigeria depends on us. Black spots have been identified, and commensurate security coverage has been articulated in all of this.

What warning would you give Nigerians who plan on selling their votes and those who want to buy?

Vote buyers and sellers are warned to stay away from polling units and election venues because security agencies will be everywhere, and anyone that is caught will be dealt with. There is no reason why someone would come to an election with a bag of money to buy people’s votes. For those who are in the habit of selling, I believe it is time to educate ourselves that selling votes is only a temporary pleasure, which is, of course, insufficient reason to mortgage one’s future, regardless of the amount of money given.

Rather, we should think of how to contribute to meaningful development through participation in the political process. Whatever the situation, our men are fully on the ground in polling units. Anyone who would be caught would face the music. Enough would be undercover officers who would do their job diligently. So, for those planning on buying or selling votes, this election would be different because, when caught, you would be arrested and prosecuted by the authorised agency.

Why have the personnel that served during the Osun State governorship election not been paid their allowance?

It is unfortunate that the personnel that participated in the Osun and Ekiti states elections have not received their allowance due to that exercise, which is a cause for concern for the management of NSCDC. We participated in the election, and allowances were meant to be paid.

Unfortunately, as I speak to you, the allowance has not been paid by the federal government. This is verifiable. If one went to the Accountant-General’s office, one would find out that not a penny has dropped into the Corps.

As a result, our personnel should be aware that the amount designated for that operation has yet to be received by the Corps. If we had received it, the personnel would have been paid. The CG is working and liaising with the appropriate authorities to ensure that the money is paid, especially as we journey into a bigger election, which is more challenging. I want to remind our people that this is a government matter and that the proper procedure is being followed. (The PUNCH)

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