The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)

  • Panic as suspected vandals spill petrol at Ejigbo

    Residents of Oboye Street in Ejigbo, a Lagos suburb, were on Thursday gripped by fear of an inferno, as suspected pipeline vandals spilled Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly called petrol, on the road and drainages.

    It was gathered that the vandals, who invaded the area around 1am and siphoned petrol out of tankers into jerry-cans, left the verve open while fleeing around 4am, to evade police arrest.

    The Nation reports that the Ejigbo pipeline, which has turned into vandals’ haven in recent time, is among those under the supervision of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    It was learnt that the vandals, accompanied by persons clad in military camouflages, abandoned some of their equipment while fleeing.

    The apprehension of the residents was heightened by a similar incident in parts of Agege and Abule Egba a few months ago,  which caused an explosion that left over 100 vehicles burnt, shops and houses destroyed and people injured.

    The residents said they woke up Thursday morning to see petrol flowing across Oboye Street into gutters and adjoining streets.

    Read Also: Fuel loading disrupted in Ejigbo depot

    Disturbed by the sight of the petrol, a source said residents were advised not to ignite fire or drive through the affected places, to avoid outbreak of fire.

    “Community leaders contacted the Ejigbo Police Division, Lagos State Fire Service, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    “These agencies were on ground and the NNPC officials stopped the leakage. The area was cordoned off before the valves were eventually closed. Fire Service officials poured some chemical substances on the roads and gutters to prevent fire outbreak,” the source said.

    Contacted, NSCDC spokesperson Mrs. Kehinde Bada said officials of the agency got to the location around 4:30am and discovered three leaking pipes, adding that they immediately contacted other stakeholders, who moved to the scene to avert danger.

    Bada said she had no report on the claims that vandals siphoned petrol out of tankers into jerry-cans, adding that a valve with three mouths was recovered.

    Asked if there was any arrest, Bada said no.

  • Addressing human cost of mismanagement of LADOL Free Zone

    On Monday April 8, 2019, an operative of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the LADOL Free Zone in Lagos shot and killed his colleague during an argument.

    He then shot and seriously injured a Korean employee of SHI-MCI FZE, who later died at the hospital as a result of injuries he suffered.

    This was an entirely unprovoked attack and there would have been more casualties if the other guards and SHI-MCI employees did not display act of bravery by detaining the gunman as he tried to leave the yard.

    The NSCDC gunman was contracted to LADOL at the time of the incident. LADOL is obliged to provide security over the free-zone via its affiliate and the Zone Manager, Global Resources Management Free Zone Company, in accordance with the NEPZA regulations. However, this shooting is a major security breach by LADOL of NEPZA regulations.

    According to media reports, SHI-MCI FZE was said to have reported several security incidents to LADOL relating to disorderly and dangerous conduct of armed guards and how their employees were vulnerable and subject to any imminent life-threatening danger but no action was taken, which led to this fatal incident.

    Following the shooting, the head of the NSCDC, Abdullahi Gana, made a public statement expressing sympathy for the victims but claiming that that shooting was “an accidental discharge.”

    But eyewitness accounts showed that the position of  NSCDC boss that the shooting was “in error” was false as two people were shot by the NSCDC gunman in two different locations far apart.

    The Korean employee was performing maintenance on a crane at the time and was shot in a completely unprovoked attack inside the crane.

    This is the most serious failing yet by the Free Zone operator.  The armed guards are supposed to be properly trained to protect Nigerian and foreign workers, who should feel empowered to promote Nigeria with pride.

    It is vital that there is a thorough and independent investigation into this incident, and that those responsible for such a serious failing that has resulted in deaths are held to account. If obviously false statements, such as those issued by the NSCDC, are accepted then more lives may be lost in future occurrences.

    READ ALSO: Korean dies from LADOL shooting incident

    This incident was a violent act in a Free Zone, which is supposed to be a safe zone for foreign nationals, investors and Nigerian workers conducting their daily business.

    NEPZA Regulations clearly states: “The Authority or Management of a Free Zone shall provide security over the premises, properties and facilities within the Free Zones.”

    In the same vein, LADOL Regulations states:  “The Zone Management shall provide security over the premises, property and facilities within the Zone”.

    To avoid this kind of incident, Zone operators like GRMFZC (LADOL Group) should have measures in place to ensure the safety and security of all their subleases at the zone and if those measures fail there should be contingencies.

    There is no doubt that this incident will have a further deterrent effect on foreign businesses looking to invest in Nigeria.

    Akpan-Etukudo, an investment advisor, writes from Warri

  • Vandals having field day in Akute, residents allege

    Residents of Denro Road in Akute have decried the unabated activities of petroleum pipeline vandals who have been on the prowl since September 29.

    It was learnt that the criminals had on daily basis siphoned Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) between 12:30 am and 4am from a valve near Denro Market with no resistance from operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) who are supposed to keep 24-hour watch of the pipeline.

    According to some of the residents who spoke to The Nation on Tuesday their major worries were the offensive odour of petrol that usually choked them each time the vandals commenced their criminal activity as well as the fear of a fire outbreak.

    Although operatives of the Nigerian Army visited the community on September 30, a day after the vandals began operating there, The Nation learnt that the criminals have continued their action.

    A man whose name cannot be stated for safety reasons alleged that the criminals have the backing of security operatives, adding “the operate without fear and even fire warning shots some times to scare residents.”

    The man told The Nation that the vandals usually came with two tankers, adding that before they begin their operation, they will flash their torches across people’s homes to be sure no one was watching.

    He said: “There is an NSCDC tent in Akute yet these vandals come and operate as though someone is backing them. They do not hide and are not afraid.

    “They usually spoke in loud voices and they come every night. The place I am talking about is by the Pipeline Bus Stop. Before they used to operate inside the bush part but it seems that place is no longer safe for them.

    “Since September 29, we have not had peaceful night here. After soldiers came when they first started, the vandals returned the next day and released gunshots. At first we thought they were security people but some of us spied and saw their tankers that was how we knew it was the criminals.”

    Read Also: Barber ‘rapes’ six-year-old girl in Ogun

    Another resident said the odour from the PMS was affecting his pregnant wife, appealing to the government to deploy soldiers permanently to the place.

    He said: “My wife is pregnant and that odour chokes her every night. I am begging the government to send soldiers to that place. Let soldiers go and mount surveillance there because it seems the other security have compromised.

    “Also, I do not know why the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation left that place unlocked. It is not just a pipeline. That place is like a control. The vandals go there, open the valves and when they are fine stealing fuel, they lock it and leave.

    “There was a day they left it open and fled. It seems they got information that security people were coming. If nothing is done soon, we will die of pollution or even a fire outbreak.

    “One night I climbed on my bed to peep around 1am and I saw them on top of the tankers pointing their torch to people’s homes to see if anyone was awake.

    “Also on Saturday night, around 12:30 am, I overheard them questioning a man who seemed to have returned late. The vandals are not afraid. It seems they have strong backing.”

    Contacted, NSCDC Commandant in Ogun Everestus Obiyo said he was only aware of the September 29 incident and that the command was investigating.

    Obiyo who faulted the residents for not arresting the vandals on the spot, said they should have at least contacted security operatives while the operation was ongoing.

    Reminded of the residents allegation that the vandals usually fired gunshots, Obiyo said: “Such an incident cannot be tolerated. There is no way I will know of an incident like that and allow it. The residents should be sharp and arrest the vandals but if they cannot, they should at least call us while the operation is on.”

    Asked if there were no NSCDC operatives at the particular point he said: “We have a tent over there and my men are on 24-hour surveillance. I have also called them now to put them on their toes. I am only aware of the incident of September 29 which the army came to address. No arrest has been made yet but we are investigating.”

  • NSCDC deploys over 10,000 operatives for Osun guber poll

    The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Friday said a total of 10,073 operatives is drafted for election duties in Osun State.

    Deputy Commandant General of the corps, Kelechi Madu stated this during a chat with reporters in Osogbo.

    Read Also:Ogun NSCDC rescues suspected kidnapper from being lynched

    He said 5,500 of the personnel would be deployed to man polling booths with the police, adding that the others would be assigned to other security duties in relation to the election.

    Although some of the operatives had complained of poor remuneration ranging from N580 to N4, 500 as against the N15, 000 per personnel allegedly approved for them; Madu said all the personnel deployed for elector duty got their allowances approved for them by the government.

    He said: “What the government approved was what was paid to them. What if the government said it was not going to pay anything? Would they not do their jobs?”

  • Osun Polls: Police talk tough, to arrest errant politicians

    …28,000 security operatives for polls, flash points identified

    …US declares process peaceful

    The police on Friday warned governors and other politicians alleged to be in Osun State to respect the Electoral Act and stay away from election areas or face arrest.

    Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Josak Habila and the coordinator of the joint security Taskforce for the election stated this during separate meetings with observers from National Democratic Institute (NDI) and International Republican Institute (IRI) as well as the United States Mission at the state command headquarters in Osogbo.

    Habila was answering questions from the leader of the observers’ delegation, John Tomaszweski who asked what the police would do to some governors said to be in the state.

    He said: “I do not know if there are governors in the state. Maybe, they came to give supports to their members and friends but they must know that they are not to be found anywhere elections are going on.

    “They should also respect the restriction of movement because anyone caught breaking the rules will be dealt with no matter how highly placed.”

    On the fears about vote buying, Habila said the ban on the use of mobile phones as well as the deployment of six uniformed security agents per polling unit were meant to address that situation, adding that intelligence squad have also been deployed to various parts of the state.

    On the strength of security operatives deployed for the exercise, the DIG said there were 28,000 comprising the police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Directorate of State Services (DSS) and the military.

    Also, a Police Mobile Force unit (PMF) comprising 63 operatives and 10 patrol vehicles has been deployed to each of the local government areas of the state.

    He denied allegations that too many security operatives were deployed to the state, noting that the deployment was lesser than what was obtained in Ekiti.

    Habila said: “Remember there was a lot of outcry, allegations that Ekiti was an army of occupation and police brought in a large number of people to intimidate and prevent people from voting. That was not true. Those who were in Ekiti saw the street and saw that just the needed security. There was no overflow of security.

    “For this election, we decided to deploy lesser than the number during Ekiti. One of the reasons for this decision was that Osun has been known to be peaceful. In the last two years, Osun has been one of the states with the lowest crime rate. Secondly, we ensured we deployed the minimally required because we do not want to waste human and material resources.

    “For this election, we have 28,000 security operatives. That is for the police and other security services. I belief there are sponsors who have written a script and are rehearsing it.

    “We will not give opportunity for anyone to do so. We will not occupy any place to intimidate or oppress anyone. We are as ready as ever to ensure that this election is peaceful.

    “We have learnt lessons from previous elections and so, we want to see on Saturday, a civil and helpful security. A security that will give an insight of a more improved security come 2019 general elections.

    “We have men on standby duty, patrol and we have posted some to national assets that people could vandalize if they are not pleased with results of the elections. We made preparations for five days before and five days after elections. “That is what we are doing. We are careful in ensuring we do not just protect the process but also protect vulnerable public facility in Osun State as a whole.  At the moment, there has been no request for boats in Osun State but the contiguous states like Ondo and Ibadan have standby boats.

    “Remember we also deployed helicopters for this election so, we can do ground to air communication. We will give our best to this election.”

    The DIG said electoral materials were received by the commander in charge of protection on Friday morning, adding that operatives deployed for their safety were already protecting them.

    “As I speak, electoral materials have been taken to registration area council and super registration area council. There, they will be pinned down and tomorrow morning, these materials will get to the various wards and polling units.

    Read Also: Osun polls: I have no anointed candidate – Aregbesola

    “A lot of the policemen are standing at the point where they will provide security to ballot box, INEC officials and others including observers. We are prepared. Our morale are high because the federal government provided our allowances.

    “The instruction was given to the Inspector-General of Police and he complied. We got our alerts a long time ago from our finance department. Other security agencies confirmed to me that they have paid their men. So, morale of security personnel are very high and we are ready to work and have our money in our pocket,” he said.

    Emphasizing that there would be restriction of movement, Habila said it would commence by 12am.

    “This election is for Osun people not Ondo or any neighboring state. You do not have business coming in. That is why we will lock down the state so that those who want to come in can let us know their reason.

    “I have visited various parts of the state to access the presence of policemen and the tempo. We have done threat analyses in the past and updated them on arrival for this election.

    “So far, the state has been peaceful. Pre-election activities including campaign and rallies went on peacefully. I expect Saturday’s election to be peaceful too.

    “That notwithstanding, we have very encompassing contingency plans. We know there are flash points and so, we brought in the tactical squad (Police Mobile Force), the Explosives Ordinance Disposal (EOD) department, the IGP Intelligence Unit, the Force Animal branch- Sniffer and Attack dogs.

    “We have all sections including other security agencies. We have Mobile Policemen on standby for visibility policing. They will continue to avoid the polling units but will patrol all flash points so that response to distress calls will be swift. So that there would not be incidence of harassment, molestation.

    “We want to create a very conducive atmosphere for people to come out and cast their votes. We intend to add quality and uphold the integrity of the election. This is about the last stand-alone election and we want to give it the best.

    “We want other countries especially African nations to learn from us. This election will be civil and we will perform to international standard. Accredited journalists will not be restricted from doing their jobs. All INEC has said is that voters will not be allowed to take their phones to voting points.

    They should drop it for a minute or two. We will support INEC to ensure that directive is complied with.

    “The Electoral Act 2011 clearly spelled out offences on election day. If you shout the slogan of a political party, you have committed an offence.

    “If you wear the dress of a party or aspirant, it is an offence. If you come in with a loud speak shouting the slogan of any party, it is an offence. If you canvass for vote or prevent anyone from voting, you have committed an offence.

    If you snatch an electoral material from officials, it is an offence.

    So, we will be looking out for offenders.”

    During their visit, the Deputy Chief of Mission, United States Embassy, Abuja, David Young said he was satisfied with the steps taken by the police and Independent National  Electoral Commission  (INEC) to curb vote buying and other electoral malpractices that was of concern to them.

    He also noted the peace in Osun State since his arrival, adding that there was improvement in this year’s election compared to previous ones.

    Young, who was accompanied by Consul General John Bray and other senior officials of the mission, said the US sent a team of 50 observers for the election who are interested in a free, fair and credible process, insisting that they were not in the state to support any candidate

     

  • APC National Convention: Delegates defy rain

    Delegates to the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention on Saturday in Abuja defied rainfall, which began early in the day, to throng Eagle Square, venue of the convention.

    Also on duty in spite of the rain were Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) officials deployed in strategic locations for traffic sanity and safety around the venue.

    The officials diverted traffic from Ralph Soheinde Street at Federal Ministry of Finance to Goodluck Jonathan Expressway and other routes to take heavy traffic away from the convention venue.

    READ ALSO:APC National Convention: Oshiomhole, delegates arrive Eagle square

    NAN reports vendors of various products also had visible presence in the convention vicinity, taking advantage of the crowd of delegates and their supporters to make brisk business.

    Prominent among the vendors were those selling food, snacks, soft drinks, mobile telephone appliances and APC items.

    The venue of the convention was adorned with white, blue, red and green colours of the APC and was also decorated with the party’s flag.

    The environment was replete with posters of contestants for various positions in the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, some carried round by their supporters.

    No fewer than 6, 800 delegates are expected from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory to be in attendance at the convention.

  • Asymmetric warfare: DHQ collaborate with police, NSCDC

    The Nigerian Military said Monday that a synergy is being worked out on military campaigns that would involve collaborators with the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    The Chief of Defence staff,  Gen Abayomi Olonisakin who dropped the hint at a training programme for military, police and civil defence Corps personnel at the Army Resource Center in Abuja, said this has become imperative now that the nation is facing asymmetric warfare.

    Olonisakin noted that the initiative was informed by the need to train officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, on campaign planning at operational and strategic levels.

    He said: “The purpose of this course is to train officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria on campaign planning at operational and strategic level.

    “The course is viewed as a precursor to entrenching multi-agency training to enable us develop understanding and expertise in planning and executing campaign in either single, joint or multi agency levels.”

    Represented by Rear Admiral Dogara Albehu, the CDS added that the 5-day training course, organized by the Defence Headquarters in collaboration with the British Military Advisory Team in Nigeria,was ” specifically designed for participants who are senior staff trained and possibly possess fellow Defence Colleges and equivalent qualifications.”

    According to him “the inclusion of the Ministry of Defence Staff, the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps is to generate a synergy and more rapour in the understanding of roles of campaign planning particularly, that the Armed Forces is now concerned with fighting asymmetric warfare.”

    He added that he approved the training course since it was in tandem was with his vision:

    “To ensure well-motivated trained and equipped Armed Forces that is responsive to national security commitment.”

    While noting that the training was the first of its kind, he said: “It is hoped that the training would facilitate discussions and debate throughout to ensure that participants are provided with greater knowledge and understanding of the entire planning process.”

    The training course had 30 participants from the services operational areas, Ministry of Defence and the Nigeria Police Force as well as the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.

    Read Also: Boko Haram: Military urged to be wary of guerrilla warfare

  • UTME: NSCDC arrests candidate who hid phone in pant

    Operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have arrested one Miss Joy Apkabio and her accomplice, Andrew Etziuala, for alleged involvement in examination malpractice in the ongoing unified tertiary matriculation examination (UTME).

    Miss Akpabio was caught using a phone which she carried into the hall in her private parts.

    The Commandant, NSCDC Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Mr. Patrick Akpan, disclosed this to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday in Company of Spokesperson of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Dr. Fabian Benjamin.

    Mr. Akpan said the suspects were apprehended at Baptist Academy, Karu, a suburb in the outskirt of the Federal Capital Territory.

    The commandant, who revealed that Miss Akpabio concealed the mobile phone in her pant, said she was caught on CCTV cameras while using the phone to cheat.

    Master Etziuala on the other hand, was said to have supplied her answers to the questions through text messages.

    The answers, Dr. Benjamin said, dated back to 1990 JAMB questions and not that of 2018 questions.

    The board had banned the use of mobile phones and other electronic devices from examination centres.

    Mr. Akpan said: “We have in our custody today two suspects that were involved in examination malpractice in the ongoing JAMB UTME. Their level of involvement are as follows, a lady whose name is, went into the exam hall with a telephone handset and this is against the rules covering the JAMB examination.

    “She concealed the telephone set inside her panties and she went in un-detected and while the examination nation was going on, she brought it out.

    “With the use of modern technology; you know the examination centres have CCTV cameras that are sending live transmission of activities that are taking place in the examination hall, and the activities of our men and other JAMB officials who were deployed to the centres, we were able to detect what she was doing and she was immediately arrested.

    “Upon interrogation, we were also able to arrest her accomplice who is another young man by the name Andrew who introduced her into the business and was equally involved in sending text messages of supposedly answers to the examination she was doing.

    “They are in our custody now and we are going to carry out further investigations regarding their involvement and to know if there are other accomplice, he will equally be traced and arrested and thereafter, they will be prosecuted in a law court.

    Dr. Benjamin noted that their arrests would serve as a deterrent to other candidates.

    Benjamin, who said the board would continue to maintain the integrity of its examinations, added that its partnership with NSCDC would ensure that any candidate caught bridging its rules are arrested.

    He said: “Just as the commandant has said, we are doing this not because she has been arrested, we want this to serve as a deterrent to other candidates. This particular candidacy was spotted from our headquarters, web have made it clear that all our centres are covered by CCTV cameras.

    “We are also monitoring what is happening in all the centres from our headquarters. We got a report that something was happening in Baptist Academy, Karu, and we immediately dispatched a team who went there and go the candidate arrested.

    “We want to sound it very clear that there is no shortcut success. It is no longer business as usual because you will be spotted if you do anything in the examination hall.

    “This particular candidate went into the hall with her phone and text messages were sent to her, but we discover that the answers were for 1990 JAMB questions, they are not for 2018 questions at all. You can see the level of deception. Even if she wasn’t arrested, she would have failed.

    “We want Nigerians to know that the sanctity of this examination is very sacrosanct. We will not allow anybody to destroy what we are doing, we will continue to partner with NSCDC to ensure that whoever attempts to bridge the rule of the game is arrested.

    He added that over one million candidates had written the examination which commenced last Friday.

    Miss Akpabio, confessed that she hid the phone to beat the security checks and that she was caught in the examination hall when she brought it out for usage.

    She said: “I was caught with a phone in exam hall. Actually, I was about bringing out the phone to make use of it and they saw me.”

    When asked if she was aware that she was not supposed to go into the examination hall with a phone, she said yes. “It was just an accident.”

    Akpabio, who said she applied to study Business Administration, added that she had sat for JAMB for more than four times and had been unable to secure admission.

    “My last score was 179,” she said.

    She claimed that other candidates were using their phones when she was caught.

    Etziuala who was sending answers to her phone explained that the answers were generated by another member of the syndicate operating from a Business Centre in Jikwoyi.

    He said the suspect at large, allegedly hacked into JAMB examination questions and generated answers which were forwarded to him (Etziuala), who in turn forward them to Akpabio in the examination hall.

    Etziuala, who said he was a student of Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa, said he regretted his action describing it as a big mistake.

    “I did not know it will lead to something like this. I am just bothered that this has tarnished my image and others should learn from it,” he said.

    Read Also: UTME 2018: JAMB vows to fight malpractice, cautions against fraudsters

  • 16 arrested in Ilorin as butchers, drivers clash

    16 arrested in Ilorin as butchers, drivers clash

    No fewer than 16 people were Wednesday arrested in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital as truck drivers and butchers clashed at the popular Mandate Market around Adewole area of the metropolis.

    During the free-for-all about two personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were wounded.

    Sources within the market claimed that the clash arose as a result of protest by some butchers against the way some trucks were parked as they pointed out that it was obstructing their customers from accessing them.

    During the fracas, truck drivers were alleged to have drawn out their knives and attacked a butcher while associates of the victim also rose to his defence.

    “In the process all hell was let loose”, said a woman who said merely escaped being a victim. It was feared at a point that the fight would escalate into an ethnic conflict as most of the truck drivers are from the north while the butchers are mainly Yorubas.

    Although initial reports claimed one life was lost to the mayhem, security sources later denied the report. Market stalls and shops were hurriedly closed during the mayhem even as motorists plying the route stayed back until normalcy was returned to the area.

    The situation was brought under control by the arrival of men of the NSCDC who began to shoot into the air to scare the warring groups.

    They were said to have helped several women trapped between the fighting groups to escape and it was in the process that two of them were injured.

    Spokesperson of the corps in the state Henry Bilesanmi confirmed the development as well as the reported cause of the incident.

    “As I am talking with you I have just returned from the hospital to see our wounded men”, he said and assured that the corps would continue to work for the peace and stability of the state,” he said.

  • Reps hold public hearing on Bill to empower NSCDC manage CCTV

    Reps hold public hearing on Bill to empower NSCDC manage CCTV

    The House of Representatives on Wednesday commenced public hearing on a Bill to empower Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ) to control Close Circuit Televisions (CCTV) in the country.

    The Bill seeks to amend the NSCDC Act 2003 to provide guidance for the enforcement of security measures through the requirement for installation and management of CCTVs.

    It is to ensure the security of lives and property in the country.

    Making his submission before members of the House Committee on Interior, in Abuja, Deputy Comptroller-General, NSCDC, Andekin Musa, commended the initiative to amend the existing Act.

    According to him, the extant law is devoid of any provision catering for installation and management of CCTV in the country.

    “The public overriding interest of actively securing public and private places identified as high risk has become expedient in the face of criminal activities carried out on innocent citizens.

    “The amendment is broad enough to cater for related matters on the installation, use and management of the CCTV,’’ Musa said.

    He added that the amendment would also provide for the expansion of the functions of NSCDC and its affiliation with local and international organisations in combating crime.

    Chairman of the committee, Rep. Adams Jagaba, said that the amendment of the bill was apt in view of the security challenges confronting the country.

    Jagaba said that the amendment would also strengthen synergy between NSCDC and other security agencies, particularly in sharing critical information needed in the fight against insecurity.

    NAN