The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NSCDC

  • NSCDC intercepts suspected Indian hemp valued at N72m in Lagos

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) command in Lagos State, yesterday, announced the interception of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp valued at about N72 million.

    The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Tajudeen Balogun, told reporters in Lagos that  the drugs were intercepted by operatives of the Marine Unit of the command, in Badagry.

    He said the operation was carried out around 2 a.m., on Thursday, during a routine patrol.

    Balogun said, that 20 bags, each containing 80 neatly packed weeds in a boat were intercepted at Topo Badagry, adding that two occupants of the boat jumped into the water and escaped.

    He said the command, in collaboration with other security agencies in Badagry were on the trail of the suspected peddlers of the drug.

    Balogun said that they were also investigating where the substances came from and their destination.

    “We intercepted 20 bags, each bag contained 80 small packs valued at about N45, 000 per pack.

    “We are investigating whether the suspects were bringing them to Nigeria or taking them out to neighbouring country.

    “I commend my men for this feat. If these substances had entered Nigerian states, they can increase crime of all sorts.

    “We are reaching out to agencies in charge of drugs before they will be destroyed.

    “We will not just release the weeds to any agency; we will ensure that these weeds are destroyed.

    “There are syndicates in this business; we are on their trail,” Balogun said.

  • Gombe accident: NSCDC orders psychological profiling of officers

    COMMANDANT-General (CG) of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Abdullahi Muhammadu has directed the psychological profiling of his officers and men across the country.

    The development is due to the incident that took place in Gombe State, where the brake of an NSCDC officer’s vehicle failed and rammed into a procession of Boys Brigade members, killing nine persons and injuring many others.

    The incident also led to the lynching of the personnel and his friend in the vehicle.

    A statement issued in Abuja by the NSCDC spokesman, Emmanuel Okeh, said: “He (the Commandant-General) has also directed the Forensic Psychology Unit of the Corps to work out the timetable for the security profiling and psychological test of all personnel of the Corps against future occurrences.”

    Muhammadu noted that the corps would embark on massive training and retraining programmes for its personnel, irrespective of the cadre in line with global best practice.

    He, therefore, warned the personnel to be cautious in dealing with the public, saying anyone found culpable would be held liable for whatever offence committed.

    The statement added that the commandant-general regretted the incident that took place in Gombe.

    “Muhammadu, in his condolence message to the family of the bereaved, the Government of Gombe State and the church members, stated that he regretted the incident and asked the people to be calm as justice will prevail.

    “He noted that the incident has no religious correlation and that the personnel in question was not on official duty and the vehicle involved was his personal car and cannot be misconstrued to be a planned action.

    “He, therefore, cautioned against misinterpretation of incidence such as this to avoid mayhem and reprisal attack,” the statement said.

  • Police arraign wardens for alleged death of Civil Defence official

    The Nigeria Police said two traffic wardens, TW GII Idoko Sunday and TW GII Katdel Dabit, have been arraigned for alleged complicity in the death of an official of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ogah Jumbo

    Their arraignment followed investigation by the

    police, which indicted them for assault and excessive use of force on the deceased after his arrest.

    A statement by Force spokesman Frank Mba in Abuja yesterday said the wardens have also been dismissed.

    He said a forensic analysis by a pathologist as seen in the autopsy report traced the cause of death to injuries inflicted on the deceased during his encounter with the wardens.

    Details of the update into the cause of the death of Ogar read: “In keeping with the assurances by Ag. Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu to ensure a transparent, accountable, comprehensive and speedy investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Ogar Jumbo, an Assistant Superintendent of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigeria Police has today arraigned in court, the traffic wardens, TW GII Idoko Sunday and TW GII Katdel Dabit, for complicity in the unfortunate death of the NSCDC officer.

    “The arraignment of the former wardens is sequel to the outcome of investigation into the case of alleged discreditable conduct and unlawful exercise of authority reported against them on March 20.

    “The former traffic wardens had been subjected to the internal disciplinary procedures of the Force – tried in an Orderly Room and dismissed before the arraignment.

    “Police investigations indicted them for assault and excessive use of force on the deceased after his arrest.”

    On the outcome of the autopsy, Mba said: “For avoidance of doubt, the autopsy report states in part that the death was due to blunt force injury to the head, multiple skin and soft tissue injuries on the forehead and face, and that there was no natural disease in the body to sufficiently explain the sudden death.”

    He also said the two traffic wardens have been remanded in Kuje Prisons pending the next adjournment of the case.

    The IGP urged the public not to lose faith in the Force, saying under his watch, no form of impunity or man’s inhumanity to man will go unpunished.

    He warned that like the indicted traffic wardens, any police officer found wanting for unlawful use of force and other sundry offences would be publicly named, shamed and brought to book to deter others.

  • Police to charge LADOL guard with murder over killing of Korean

    Following the fatal shooting of a Korean employee of SHI-MCI FZE at the LADOL Free Zone on April 8, the police have resolved to charge the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel guarding the LADOL Free Zone for murder.

    The NSCDC operative also shot and killed his colleague guarding the free zone moments before he shot the Korean employee.

    The decision to charge the gunman was the outcome of a police report issued by a Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge SCIID, Yaba, (DCP), Yetunde O. Longe, dated April 16, 2019.

    The gunman was detained by guards and employees of SHI-MCI FZE after he had carried out this killing.

    The case was then transferred to the State Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Department of the Nigeria Police Force for investigation.

    The police investigation found the gunman, Innocent Oshemi shot and killed the Korean SHI-MCI employee with his official G5 rifle while on duty at the LADOL Free Zone.

    The investigating team took statements from the witnesses to the incident and visited the scene of the shooting.

    The coroner confirmed the victim died as a result of injuries received from the gunshot, including ‘penetrating missile injury to the body.’

    On careful consideration of the evidence gathered by the investigating team, the Police established a case of murder of the Korean SHI-MCI FZE employee against the gunman.

    He will therefore be charged with murder and the case file will be forwarded to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

    Samsung Heavy Industries Nigeria (SHIN) had at a press conference called for transparent justice for family of the victim in the case.

     At a press-conference in Lagos attended by family of the deceased Korean victim, Managing Director of SHIN, Jejin Jeon said: “SHIN would ensure that LADOL and the NSCDC are held accountable for any organisational and management failing that allowed the gunman to carry out this terrible crime in the LADOL Free Zone.”

     Jeon also showed CCTV of the shooting of the guard and Korean employee to journalists at the conference.

    The CCTV clearly showed the LADOL guard fired deliberately at his NSCDC colleague, killing him with three shots at the scene.

    He then moved to a different location where he also deliberately shot the Korean employee working in a crawler crane within the SHI-MCI yard.

    SHI stated the CCTV and the decision of the Police to charge the suspect with murder were further proof that statements by LADOL and the NSCDC after the shooting that the shootings were in error are false.

    In a statement on Wednesday, the Chief Operating Officer of SHIN, Mr. Frank Ejizu, commended the Deputy Commissioner, DCP Yetunde O. Longe and her team for their thorough investigation of the evidence of the case.

    ‘’This will result in the perpetrator of this terrible crime being charged for his acts. We invite the Director of Public Prosecutions to conduct a transparent and fair assessment of the evidence and to ensure that justice is done and seen to be done.

    “Justice is important for the victims, for their families and also for all the employees working in the LADOL Free Zone, who are understandably fearful for their safety.

    “The international business community will also be watching this case closely to determine whether Nigeria remains a safe working environment for their employees,” Ejizu explained

  • Petrol Scarcity: NSCDC warns oil marketers in Ekiti

    THE Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) will today begin clampdown on petrol dealers hoarding or diverting products in Ekiti State.

    The NSCDC, Ekiti Command, said it would not allow those he described as unscrupulous dealers to create artificial scarcity in the state over  anticipation of a rise in official pump prices.

    Governor Kayode Fayemi  on Friday issued similar threat against some petrol dealers found to be hoarding fuel.

    This situation has forced motorists to engage in panic buying since Friday.

    The development had also caused long queues in filling stations across the state and hike in the pump price in some stations to N160 per litre.

    Speaking with reporters  in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, the command’s  Commandant, Mr. Solomon Iyamu, said he had instructed anti-vandal operatives to begin random surveillance on petrol stations and arrest those hoarding the product.

    Iyamu, who spoke through the command’s Public Relations Officer, Tolu Afolabi, added that the operation would begin by 8am today.

    “We realised that long queues and artificial scarcity had been created by some petrol dealers and we are ready to address the issue.

    “We learnt from good authorities that very high number of our petrol stations are now hoarding the product. Some are also selling above N145 pet litre. These are the issues we will tackle squarely,” he stated.

    The NSCDC boss appealed to motorists to always inform it of any wrongdoings from any filling stations to help his men and officers in carrying out the operation.

    He promised that the command would also strengthen its operation to prevent those who could divert products meant for Ekiti to another state, thereby creating scarcity in the system.

    Iyamu, however, warned petrol dealers against inflicting hardship on the people by hoarding the product, saying it is illegal and any filling station found culpable of such an activity would be sanctioned accordingly.

  • Guard kills colleague, shoots Korean staff

    An officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) guarding the Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics (LADOL) Free Zone, Mr. Innocent Oshemi, has shot and killed another NSCDC personnel.

    He also wounded a Korean staff working at the fabrication and integration yard of the Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) located in the free zone.

    The armed security guard went on a rampage around the SHI-MCI yard on Monday, killing his colleague during an argument and shooting a Korean SHI-MCI employee operating a crane within the yard at the time

    According to eyewitness report, the severally wounded Korean was not involved in the original argument between the gunman and his colleague.

    After killing his colleague at about 1.53 pm, the NSCDC officer made his way towards the exit of the SHI-MCI yard but was confronted by guards and other Korean SHI-MCI employees, who prevented from leaving the yard.

    Their bravery prevented the gunman from inflicting further harm on other employees within the free-zone.

    The gunman was taken into custody by Apapa police.

    The gunman, who was supplied to LADOL Free Zone by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, was tasked with the responsibility of defending the Samsung yard from any external attack.

    The Korean employee, who was taken to hospital, underwent several hours of surgery, having suffered serious and life-changing injuries.

    Some workers at the free zone, who witnessed the incident, blamed it on poor management of LADOL as the Free Zone operator.

    Read Also: Insecurity:Police arrest five suspected kidnappers in Ondo

    “LADOL armed guards are supposed to be properly trained to protect Nigerian and foreign workers.

    ‘’SHI-MCI had previously argued against having armed guards at the yard as it posed unnecessary risk to employees due to insufficient training of guards,” said a female employee who asked not to be named.

    “It is vital that those responsible for such a serious failing that has resulted in death and serious injury are held to account.

    “This 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.

    “Zone operators like LADOL 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,” another eyewitness said.

    In a statement on Tuesday, Samsung Heavy Industries Nigeria confirmed one of its Korean employees has been critically injured after being shot by a guard, adding that it has arranged expert medical care for this employee.

    “We give thanks to the quick-thinking and bravery of its employees who apprehended the security operative.

    “Samsung will conduct a full investigation and demands answers from LADOL as to how this employee was screened, and what protection they can offer to workers within the LADOL Free Zone who are now extremely concerned for their safety and welfare.

    “Samsung is working with the International SOS service and the Korean embassy in Nigeria to ensure that proper medical care is provided to its employee and that his family has all the support they need.

    ‘’We have already started our own investigation into what happened. We will be encouraging the Nigerian authorities and the Korean embassy to commence a full and thorough investigation into this terrible incident,” the statement added.

    Meanwhile, SHI-MCI excused all its employees for work from yesterday and until further notice.

    “SHI-MCI plans to issue a claim of damages and will request compensation on behalf of the victim as well as commercial loss,” the company added.

    Reacting in a statement, the Head of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Gana, explained a Civil Defence officer opened fire ‘in error’ at the logistics base, ”leaving multiple casualties”.

    He later clarified that the officer, who was not immediately identified, shot and killed one of his colleagues at the base.

    “Also a Korean man who was present sustained gunshot wounds and is currently hospitalised.”

    Gana who sympathised with the victims, promised the incident would be investigated and legally handled.

  • NSCDC to investigate killing of operative by colleague in Lagos

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it has commenced investigation into the alleged killing of one of its operatives by his colleague at the Free Trade Zone, Epe expressway, in Lagos.

    A statement by its spokesman, Mr Emmanuel Okeh, on Tuesday in Lagos said that the officer involved had been stripped of his arms and is currently in detention.

    According to him, the ugly incident occurred as a result of an accidental discharge by a personnel of the corps, which led to some casualties involving another personnel of the Corps.

    He said that Mamman Wuyah and Oshemi Innocent, were both shot, adding that Innocent died and Wuyah sustained injury and is currently in the hospital.

    The Commandant-General (C-G) of the corps, Mr Abdullahi Mohammadu, expressed regrets over the ugly incident that occurred at one of the beats, where personnel of the corps were deployed to protect the nation’s infrastructure.

    Read also: NSCDC deploys 39 officers to man UTME centres in Niger

    “I received the information with a heavy heart, and in view of that, I commiserate with the family of the deceased and the injured.

    “It is unfortunate in spite several warnings by the corps against such acts of negligence and carelessness,’’ he said.

    Muhammadu, however, assured the public that adequate punitive action would be taken against the officer involved to avert a future reoccurrence and to serve as a deterrent to other personnel.

    “Investigation into the remote causes of the incident is ongoing as a committee has been set up to critically look into the matter as the officer involved had already been stripped of his arms and is currently in detention.’’

    Mohammadu said the officer would continue to be in detention pending the outcome of the report of the committee and justice is accordingly ensured. (NAN)

  • NSCDC deploys 39 officers to man UTME centres in Niger

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Niger Command, has deployed 39 personnel to provide security for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in different parts of the state.

    Mr Phillip Ayuba, Corps Commandant in the state made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Tuesday.

    He said there would be security in the 17 computer – based centres for the 11th conduct of the UTME in Niger, which kicked off on Tuesday.

    Ayuba said that two personnel would provide security in each of the centres, while five personnel from the headquarters would supervise the exercise across the state.

    The commandant said that the monitoring team had been constituted to carefully monitor the conduct of the exercise in the state.

    Read Also: JAMB: Candidates who miss UTME to wait till next year

    He explained that the corps would work with the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to ensure security at the centres before, during and after the computer-based test.

    Ayuba urged prospective candidates to be law abiding, adding that the NSCDC personnel would be professional in carrying out their mandate to ensure a hitch-free examination.

    He also warned parents against malpractices as anyone found wanting would be arrested and prosecuted.

  • Dog eats dog

    The gory tale of how Ogah Jumbo, an Assistant Superintendent of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), was allegedly murdered by two policemen is chilling. Ada, the wife of the deceased, said the husband was beaten and dragged on the ground for alleged traffic offence, and he died from the injuries. In her words: “They (traffic wardens) dragged my husband on the ground to their station. If you see his body in the mortuary, you will notice that his fingernails were chopped off and he bled to death.”

    We condemn the bestiality of the police officers and demand for justice for the deceased. If the incident as reported is correct, then the police officers might as well be psychopaths, instead of law enforcement agents. While disobedience of traffic regulation is condemnable, the punishment can never be wilful murder by those entrusted with keeping public order. As the enforcer of civic discipline, a police officer should be the epitome of discipline and decorum. But what do we get from the police?

    According to the 2016 World Internal Security and Police Index, a global rating coordinated by International Police Science Association and the Institute for Economics and Peace, the Nigerian Police is rated worst globally. Even by what amounts to internal public rating, an arm of the police, the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, became so notorious that many Nigerians marched on the streets last year asking that it should be scrapped.

    On a regular basis, the Nigerian police exhibit terrible tendencies. Either they are mounting illegal checkpoints or they are engaged in unlawful duties. Most police stations are like market places (apology to Fela) where the officials trade in liberty of citizens. On the highway, rogue policemen mount illegal checkpoints extorting money from motorists. Indeed, specialized police agencies earmarked for serious crimes, turn their station to debt recovery agencies. Driven by personal gains they torture parties to enter into undertakings.

    The attack on Mr Jumbo is even more appalling considering that he is part of the national security apparatus. While his colleagues in NSCDC have also occasionally misbehaved in dealing with the public, the fact that he is a security personnel should have availed him some better treatment. The tragedy that befell Mr Jumbo should be a pointer to security personnel that the resort to molestation of civilians is bad. Security uniforms must never be a licence to abuse privileges.

    For the police service commission and the Inspector General of Police, there is urgency for training and retraining of service personnel. They must ingrain in their members the need to respect basic human rights, as operational standard. No personnel who engages in any form of abuse should be allowed a minute more in the organisation. What we say of the police is also applicable to other law enforcement agencies in the country. Many of them misbehave once they are in uniform and bearing arms.

    We note that the police have already interdicted the officers. They should face disciplinary action, if applicable orderly room trial for their reprehensible conduct. After the administrative process, the duo should be tried for homicide. The police must not do anything to cover up the alleged crime, and the NSCDC should diligently pursue the matter. While the incident should not lead to a brawl between the service personnel of the sister organisations, there should be no compromise in seeking justice for Mr Jumbo.

    Perhaps it is time for the federal government to establish an interagency organ to deal with relationships between security agencies of government. Such an agency could operate from the office of the Ministry of Defence.

  • Supreme Court dismisses NSCDC’s appeal against judgment voiding sack of staff

    The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) against the July 18, 2016 decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, voiding its sack of 181 staff and ordering their immediate recall.

    In a ruling on Monday, the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Mahammad struck out the appeal filed by the NSCDC against the earlier judgment by the Court of Appeal.

    Justice Muhammad, who led a five-man panel, held that the Supreme Court was without the jurisdiction to hear and determine the appeal

    He said by the provision of Section 248 (4) of the 1999 Constitution, all appeals emanating from the decisions of the National Industrial Court (NIC) are to terminate at the Court of Appeal.

    Justice Muhammad said: “In the circumstance, the appellant/applicant has reached its limit and the appeal is therefore, struck out. The matter has come to its finality.”

    Obono Musa and 180 others (the affected NSCDC officials) had sued the then Commandant-General, NSCDC before the NIC, alleging unlawful termination of their employments.

    They prayed the court to declare that the verbal and oral suspension of the claimants by the NSCDC was null, void and of no effect.

    The claimants also sought an order directing the defendants to recall all the claimants to work and to also release the original copies of their letters of employment to them.

    Read Also: I’m surprised by judgment of Supreme Court, says Jerry Gana

    They also asked for an order of the court directing the defendants to immediately pay them all arrears of salaries from 2007 till date.

    The NIC, in its judgment on March 19, 2015, ordered the NSCDC to reinstate the sacked workers, with their full emoluments, from the time they were illegally dismissed.

    It also ordered NSCDC to return the employment letters to the affected personnel and pay all arrears of their salaries amounting to about N1.2 billion.

    The court restrained the NSCDC from further tampering with the employment of the affected personnel.

    The NSCDC, and Immigration and Prisons Service Board (who were respondents at the NIC) appealed the judgment, but failed to diligently prosecute it.

    A three-man panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Moore Adumein, in a judgment on July 18, 2016, upheld the respondents’ request and dismissed the appeal for lack of diligent prosecution.

    Reacting to the Supreme Court’s decision on Monday, Ibrahim Bawa, lawyer to the sacked workers, expressed delight about the outcome of the case. He said his clients had been exposed to hardship since 2007 when they were unlawfully sacked.

    Bawa urged President Muhammadu Buhari to impress it on the Commandant-General of the corps to without delay effect the decision of the apex court.

    He also said that the president might contemplate investigating the untidy manner the establishment was managed.

    The affected personnel of the NSCDC, most of who were not allowed into the courtroom, were jubilant on learning about the court’s pronouncement.