The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 41,886 high-technology surveillance devices and operational tools to strengthen intelligence gathering and enhance national security operations across the country.
The NSCDC Commandant-General (CG), Ahmed Audi, while distributing the items on Friday, issued stern warnings against act of indiscipline in the corps.
The distribution was done after the annual strategic meeting with the heads of various state formations across the country.
The deployment spanned the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
He said, “It is aimed at improving surveillance capacity, boosting rapid response to security threats, and safeguarding critical national assets and infrastructure.”
Noting that protecting critical assets and infrastructure remained the core mandate of the corps, Mr Audi warned that it would not tolerate any act of indiscipline from officers.
He stated, “These gadgets are provided to ensure the smooth delivery of our duties.In this new strategic phase we are now, we are deploying advanced technological equipment to address insecurity, combat banditry, illegal mining, and illegal logging.
“The bag pack we are giving out to our officers has a mini pad, a solar charger, GPS Coordinate Tracker, and situation room connectivity pack which will track and report the movement of personnel on duty.”
He said that the pack also included new boots, three drones per state, 50 operational bag per state, 200 uniform pairs for personnel per state, agro-rangers uniform, blue conventional uniform and white, 200 combat boot.
“One hundred bullet proof vest, 100 helmets, 100 beret, 100 belts, 100 Ankler and kneel cap, radio in operation bag, 50 shocking batons, 20 chain cutters, touch and lights baton, five pen recorders and 20 body cameras per state.
“Water dispenser for administrative duties, 20 operational google with night vision, 10 binoculars, code of conduct, NSCDC Act and Standard Operating Procedure SOP,” he said.
Mr Audi warned that the shared gadgets should not be circumvented for different use but should be strictly for the use of the corps.
According to him, the tools are intended to facilitate better surveillance, rapid response, and safety during operational missions.
He noted that the corps had destroyed over 400 illegal refineries, conducted numerous arrests, and successfully prosecuted economic sabotage cases involving smugglers and illegal miners.
He attributed the achievements to the effectiveness of intelligence sharing and inter-agency collaboration, adding that plans were underway to exchange intelligence with sister security agencies to ensure coordinated and efficient operations.
Mr Audi stressed the importance of technological advancement in combating insecurity, adding that the Federal Government was committed to ensuring the security of every Nigerian.
The CG expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the renewal of his tenure, as well as to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for their continued support.
Mr Audi said his reappointment by the president would go a long way in ensuring continuity and strengthening efforts to effectively steer the affairs of the corps.
He highlighted the numerous challenges surmounted during his first tenure, including personnel rank stagnation, delayed payment of promotion arrears, inadequate regimental training, and the absence of clear policies to drive operational performance, among others.
He said the corps now had a structured curriculum that could be leveraged to conduct career progression and professional development courses for personnel.
He said it was a milestone previously non-existent.
He pledged that the corps would record even greater achievements in the years ahead.
(NAN)
