The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Akwa Ibom State Command, has refuted allegations that its State Commandant, Geraldine Abetianbe, protects personnel accused of misconduct and maintains a poor working relationship with other security agencies.
The command also dismissed claims that operational equipment, including drones and technology packs, had been withheld from officers.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Uyo, the Public Relations Officer of the command, Friday Ekerete, described the allegations published by an online platform as false and without factual basis.
“The attention of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Akwa Ibom State Command, has been drawn to a publication containing several allegations against the State Commandant, Commandant Geraldine Abetianbe,” Ekerete said.
“The Command finds the publication to be malicious, misleading and lacking in factual basis. In the interest of the public and for the record, we wish to provide clarifications.”
Responding to allegations that the command failed to cooperate with investigations, Ekerete said the report wrongly identified the head of the Anti-Vandal Unit.
“The publication’s reference to ‘SP Mike Asibor, Head of Anti-Vandal’ is false. SC Michael Asibor is not a staff of the NSCDC Akwa Ibom State Command, let alone the Head of Anti-Vandal. The Head of Anti-Vandal at the Command Headquarters is SC Akan Ekanem,” he stated.
He added that the command remained committed to accountability.
“The command has always cooperated with investigations and will never shield any of its personnel found wanting,” he said.
The NSCDC spokesperson also denied reports of a rift between the corps and other security agencies in Akwa Ibom.
“There is no iota of truth in the claim that our relationship with sister security agencies is fractured. We enjoy a symbiotic and extremely cordial working relationship with all security agencies in the state,” Ekerete said.
Addressing claims that drones and technology-based operational systems had not been distributed, he explained that the equipment would only be deployed after officers receive the necessary training.
“The allegation that the command refused to distribute tech operational system packs is false and malicious,” he said.
“The command took delivery of the equipment earlier this year. However, they can only be deployed after personnel have been trained by resource persons from our National Headquarters on their proper use in security operations. Due process is being followed in line with Corps policy.”
Ekerete said the command would not be distracted by what it described as attempts to create disaffection within the corps or among security agencies.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting critical national assets and infrastructure in Akwa Ibom State and urged media organisations to verify information before publication to prevent the spread of misleading reports.
