By Afolabi Samuel Odunayo
In preparation for the growing tension surrounding the planned EndBadGovernance protests, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has said that its position is to protect all critical national infrastructure and assets.
Addressing all its State Commandants and personnel on Friday, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, the NSCDC Commandant General, said his officers and men are all at alert to protect national assets.
He spoke through the Corps’ Public Relations Officer Babawale Afolabi, stating that officers are to ensure the total safety of the nation’s critical infrastructure in light of the simmering nationwide demonstrations.
This declaration follows President Bola Tinubu’s expression of concern over perceived plans by some to be destructive in their anti-government protests.
The Commandant General asserted that the NSCDC is dedicated to safeguarding important government structures and buildings, emphasizing its impatience with any activity that aims to disrupt the maintenance of law and order in the society.
While speaking on behalf of Audi, the PRO, Mr Afolabi stated:”The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi mni OFR, has reiterated the stance of the Corps in line with its core mandates concerning the proposed nationwide protest, affirming that the NSCDC will not allow any act of violence, disruption of peace, law and order, destruction of properties, looting, vandalism of critical national assets and infrastructure, amongst others.
“Dr Audi emphasised the core mandate of the NSCDC, noting that under his watch, the Corps is wholly committed to the protection of oil pipelines, electrical power installations, communication equipment, railway gadgets, the Safe Schools Initiative, and all utilities provided by the government for the comfort of the masses and public consumption.
“He noted that any act of destruction or vandalism of these critical assets and infrastructure would have a debilitating effect on the economy of the nation and the Corps, having upscaled its intelligence and operational mechanism, is ready to combat any attack against government infrastructure.”
Underscoring the Corps’ readiness to fight any emerging act of violence during protests, Audi warned Nigerian youths against manipulations by crooks.
He said countries all over the world are also experiencing similar economic situation as Nigeria.
He said: “Our commitment to the protection of the lives and property of the Nigerian people is paramount, and we will not fold our arms and allow some fifth columnists to instigate Nigerians and its youth against the Federal Government under the pretence of staging demonstrations or protests.
“Notably, the present economic hardship is not limited to Nigeria alone; it is a global phenomenon that nations of the world are facing serious and critical economic downturns, including inflation and food supply shortages occasioned by climatic and environmental changes and other factors which the government in power is making concerted efforts to resolve while ameliorating the pains of the people.”
