The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ebonyi State Command, has issued a stern warning to its recently trained operatives, cautioning that any incident of accidental discharge will not be tolerated.
This warning came from the State Commandant, Mr. Francis Nnadi, during an address delivered on Wednesday in Abakaliki, following a ceremonial guard of honour mounted by 83 personnel who completed arms training.
The operatives received their training at the 14 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Ohafia, in neighbouring Abia State.
Addressing the officers, Nnadi emphasized the importance of strict discipline and adherence to operational protocols.
“One should be more disciplined when armed, and you must make vigilance your watchword,” he told the operatives.
He further highlighted the corps’ nationwide revitalization agenda, stating, “The commandant general of the corps has a mantra of rejuvenating and reinvigorating the corps, and all state commands are proactively striving to achieve this mandate.”
Nnadi also disclosed the command’s ongoing collaboration with the Ebonyi State Government to secure the Chuba Okadigbo Airport, Onueke, while underscoring the broader mandate of safeguarding vital infrastructure across the state.
“We also have the mandate of protecting critical infrastructure in the state as the arms training will be handy in actualising the mandates,” he said. “We would be deploying the personnel across the state to effectively utilise their expertise.”
He acknowledged the growing sophistication of criminal elements, noting that the NSCDC must remain a step ahead.
“Criminals and non-state actors are upping their skills but we have to be far above them to check their activities,” he added.
Commending the newly trained personnel, Nnadi described their performance during the parade as outstanding.
“Most of them had earlier undergone special forces, counter-terrorism and other forms of large and medium scale trainings,” he said.
In his remarks, the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Mr. Richard Idike, congratulated the personnel and urged them to apply their new skills diligently.
“The society is grappling with rising criminal activities and we need enhanced training for security operatives to check such,” he said. “The training NSCDC personnel underwent from the army makes them unique and the state has benefitted tremendously from it. The state commandant has performed exceptionally and the increase in personnel performance is evident.”
Speaking on behalf of the trainees, Florence Nweke expressed gratitude for the opportunity and promised heightened dedication.
She said, “We thank the State Commandant for affording us the training opportunity and pledge to be more dedicated to our duty.”