Tag: NSCDC

The operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, have arrested 17 oil thieves and suspected killers of an officer of the Corps, Assistant Superintendent of Corps, Umar Aliyu.

According to a statement from the Public Relations Officer of the Corps in Abuja, Babawale Afolabi, the suspects were arrested during a joint operation by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad.

Afolabi said those arrested were also involved in the stealing of a speed boat belonging to Tantita Security Services.

He quoted the Commandant of the Squad, AS Dandaura as saying that a high-profile syndicates of 17 sea pirates were arrested by his men in synergy with other sister’s security agencies.

He said this happened following an intelligence received on the activities of the sea pirates which led to coordinated operations at Tonogbe, Ekeremo Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

He narrated how the NSCDC officer was killed alongside some personnel of Tantita Security by the oil thieves.

Dandaura said an intensive manhunt was launched thereafter against the criminals with undercover agents who worked in synergy with sisters’ security agencies and Tantita, which led to the successful tracking and arrest of the 17 suspects.

He said upon interrogation, the criminals confessed that they were part of a syndicate that launched an attack against the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum, Hon. Lokpobiri Heineken at his residence on the 1st of January this year.

Read Also: NSCDC boss presents N188m cheques to families of deceased personnel

Dandaura gave the names of the suspects arrested during the operation as Ziakede Amatu,

Aaron Ekogbene, Ebimene Adeseotu Toukekenme, Emmanuel Police, Ken David,

Timiprey Ekogbene, Isaac Pius, Guy Tigan Victor, Timothy Ebibakote, Odebor Abade Joseph.

Others are Zikena Kingsley, Kelly Babylon, Dide Tuboukebuleye, ThankGod Ezu, Godwin Aseyapwayei, Timis Tokoni, Timothy Ebibakote, Odebor, Abade Joseph, Zikena Kingsley, Kelly Babylon, Dide Tuboukebuleye, and Godwin Aseyapwayei.

He listed exhibits recovered as One AK47 Riffle. Two empty Ak47 magazines, Charms,

Fifteen Tantita Security uniform (shirt and trousers), Fifteen Tantita Security T-shirt, and fifteen black boots.

Dandaura vowed to continue the ongoing operations against oil thieves, pirates, and other economic saboteurs and commended the Commandant General of the Corps, Dr Ahmed Audi, for providing necessary support for the Squad to go about their duties. 

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has presented cheques worth N188m as benefits to families of deceased personnel in the Service. 

More than 20 families of personnel who died in active service benefitted. 

The cheques were presented by the Commandant General of the Corps, Dr Ahmed Audi at the headquarters of the NSCDC in Abuja, while the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo praised the Corps for proving its mettle in the security architecture of the country.

The occasion was to commemorate the 2025 International Civil Defence Day Organisation (ICDO), and appraised the contributions of the NSCDC to peace and orderliness in the country. 

 Tunji-Ojo stressed the need for collective action, international cooperation, and community engagement in promoting Civil Defence as well as disaster risk reduction.

He was represented by the Secretary of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board  (CDCFIB) Maj Gen. Abdulmalik Jibrin (rtd).

Read Also: NSCDC vows stronger security collaboration to tackle banditry in Sokoto

The Minister in a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Corps, Babawale Afolabi said the world  has witnessed an increase in the frequency and severity of threats, thus, highlighting the importance of civil defence in protecting human lives, promoting sustainable development and protection of critical national assets and infrastructure.

He explained that the current situation underscored the imperative of Civil Defence in modern society. 

“It is imperative that we continue to prioritize civil defence and their efforts, and work together to promote the culture of prevention, preparedness and response and support the development of resilient communities that can withstand the current security threats,” the Minister said.

The Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, emphasizeod the need for collaboration and synergy among agencies and other critical stakeholders to make the world safer and more secured.

He assured that NSCDC will continue to strive for effective protection of critical national assets and infrastructure (CNAI) and will not relent in strengthening physical security, and sensitisation of the general public in order to guarantee security and well-being of the citizenry.

The CG stated the establishment of the Special Intelligence Squad, Mining Marshall, Agro Rangers and Special Female Squad has led to steady successes and achievements by Corps.

Audi said the Special Intelligence Squad arrested over 500 suspects, destroyed more than 350 illegal refineries, while Special Female Squad thwarted over 48 kidnapping attempts on schools. He further said the newly established mining marshall has closed down over 170 illegal mining sites.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Sokoto has pledged to enhance its operational strategy through a more coordinated approach with other security agencies to sustain the fight against banditry and other criminal threats in the state.

The state commandant, Usman Ishaq Alfadarai made this commitment on Friday during the 2025 International Civil Defence Day celebration in Sokoto, themed “Civil Defence: Guarantee of Security for the Population.”

Alfadarai emphasized the NSCDC’s readiness to work closely with relevant security agencies to provide effective security across the state, with a particular focus on protecting schools and critical institutions. 

He reiterated the agency’s commitment to deepening its mandate of ensuring public safety and security.

“We will do that to give protection to our schools against violent attacks and threats to the learning environment and communities. We want to ensure their safety.

Read Also: Troops kill 217 terrorists, arrest 122 oil thieves in February

“The agency will also through the synergy provide protection to agriculture infrastructure and agro allied established investments inorder to guarantee food security in addition to other relevant business concerns as oil and gas and communication”, the commandant pointed out.

He noted that the rising insecurity and threats though, being adequately tamed has necessitated the agency’s build up to squaring the trend.

“Despite the situation , we are working assiduously to reverse the trend in Sokoto state.

“It will also interest you to know that we have successfully assisted in freeing no less than 50 captives.”

Alfadarai, the Zaria born Commandant with expanded experience disclosed that his command had widened its scope of operations to introducing mining marshalls with a view to brace against illegal activities of miners in the state.

“The essence is to brace it support to the state government vested interest in exploring strategic approach develope the sector. These marshalls will keep close synergy with the state government on activities bordering on mining in the state for protection. They will act as NSCDC security liaison on mining”, he disclosed.

• Tinubu behind Tantita’s success, says Eradiri

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL) have deepened their collaboration to end all forms of economic sabotage in the Niger Delta in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Commandant-General, NSCDC, Dr. Abubakar Audi,  as part of his tour of NSCDC formations in the region, led a delegation of senior officers of the corps to meet with the Managing Director, TSSNL, Chief Kestin Pondi and the Founder of Tantita, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo in Warri and Oporoza in Delta State.

Audi and his team also toured the operational facilities of NSCDC operatives working with Tantita in far-flung creeks of the Niger Delta and other formations to assess their activities and encourage the frontline security agents.

The Commandant-General while paying a courtesy visit to Pondi said his operational tour of the Niger Delta was to enable him get first hand information of his men on ground and strengthen the relationship between the corps and Tantita.

Audi said the NSCDC would celebrate the gallantry of his men on March 1st adding that the occasion would recognise fallen heroes of the corps and empower the families of deceased officers.

He said: “We place high premium on the welfare of our staff that is why every March 1st we recognise our personnel who died on active duty by assisting their families through payment of life insurance benefits and other empowerment schemes.”

In his remarks, the Managing Director, Tantita Security Services Ltd, Mr Kestin Pondi, heaped praises on President Ahmed Tinubu for providing the enabling environment to fight oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

He assured of closer collaboration with security forces including the NSCDC in the ongoing efforts to tackle pipeline vandalism and oil theft.

Read Also: Police detain father, friend for impregnating stepdaughter

Pondi said without the collaborative efforts of the NSCDC and other security agencies, the success record would have been impossible.

He said prior to Tantita’s involvement in combating oil theft, production levels hovered around 800,000 barrels per day, adding that the increased production was because of the collaboration with NSCDC.

He said:  “The success recorded in the recent past is not without the collaborative efforts of NSCDC. At the moment we have over 450 personnel in our organisation who have been providing collaborative services to our personnel.

“It is worthy of note that as at the time we came on board, the nation was producing between 600000 – 800000 barrels per day in 2022, but as at today we have gone over 2 million barrels per day and this is largely due to our collaboration with you.

A former President, Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, Engr. Udengs Eradiri, hailed NSCDC and Tantita for their mutual relationship saying their operational style was in line with President Tinubu’s leadership approach of community and stakeholders’ engagements.

Describing President Tinubu as a community man, Eradiri said Tinubu’s approach was centered around the people adding that in similar way Tantita and NSCDC approach instilled confidence in people to protect oil facilities within their domain.

“This is in line with President Tinubu’s leadership style. President Tinubu is a community man. His approach has always been about the people. For some of us who have known him for years ago, we are not surprised that he is doing things differently.

“Recall that when he was campaigning he came to the Gbaramatu Kingdom. President Tinubu expanded the relationship with Tantita and consolidated on what he met and that is why the trajectory has been smooth. President Tinubu is the reason Tantita is succeeding and we want to commend him for believing in Tompolo and the people,” he said.

The special intelligence squad of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 17 suspects for vandalisation of telecom infrastructure in Yobe State. 

The squad was established by the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Audi, to ensure that critical infrastructure are protected across the country. 

The 17 suspects were nabbed by operatives of the Corps for their involvement in vandalism of Electrical power Installations, and Telecommunications Masts in Yobe.

The Commandant of the Squad, Appolos Dandaura, said: “We raided 3 separate warehouses in Damaturu, Yobe State as we earlier gathered intelligence that there were storage Bases for vandalised Telecom Masts, Power Transmission and Rail track gadgets within the crime scene”.

Read Also: NSCDC intensifies war against oil thieves, arrests two in Abia

“The clearance operation which took hours led to the uncovering of 3 warehouses located at Pilgrim Nassarawa bye pass in Damaturu, another one at Dujiya behind new market while the 3rd warehouse was uncovered at Abari bypass also in Damaturu.

“We have deployed a manhunt team to trail the kingpin named Aliyu Ajakuta who is also known as Chairman, Scrab Dealers Association in the area,” Dandaura said. 

He gave the names of the suspects as Umar Saiadu (M) Mohammed Salisu (M), Ali Adam (M), Ibrahim Mohammed (M), Mohammed Musa (M) Abdulhamid Mohammed (M), Hassan Dauda (M), Alhassan Yakubu (M), Mohammed Babagana (M), Mohammed Bashiru, abd Mohammed Bello (M). 

Others are Adamu Abdullahi Usman (M) Mustapha Babagana (M), Tijani Bako (M),  Bashiru Adam (M), and Lawal Salisu (M).

At the scene of the crime, exhibits were recovered include: Telecom Mast, Base Transceiver station (BTS), Cabinet Metal bags of armoured cable, large quantities of Rail Track Slippers, large quantities of Solar panels, batteries; Warepipes. 

An Ikeja High Court has sentenced two members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to death by hanging for armed robbery.

Justice Onyindamola Ogala sentenced Azonta Amarachukwu and Ajayi Adebayo to death following their conviction on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit robbery and armed robbery brought against them by the state.

Justice Ogala held that the prosecutor had proved the case of conspiracy to commit robbery and armed robbery against the convicts.

“The defendants are NSCDC officials, who embarked on an illegal midnight operation on the 30th of January, 2018 into the early hours of the 31st of January, 2018.

“At about 2 am, whilst armed with gun and other offensive weapons, did highjack Iveco Container Trucks with Registration No. LSR 746 XD containing 1,700 cartons of Chelsea and Action Bitter drinks value estimated at N2.7 million, waybill, mobile phones and cash.

“The judge also noted that the 1st defendant was caught in the Mazda car which was used to double cross the eyeglass truck, while the 2nd defendant was handed over to the police by the officers of NCSDC,” she said.

Read Also: We’re implementing Tinubu’s education blueprint in Edo-Okpebholo

The judge held that PW1 was able to identify both 1st and 2nd defendants and the role they played in the robbery of the truck, which is the property of PW2. 

“The truck was later abandoned with other stolen belongings at Yaya Abatan Junction and later recovered.

“I convict defendants based on the eyewitness account and other circumstantial evidence which were highlighted in the case by the prosecution.

“It was inconsequential that the vehicle and other belongings stolen were abandoned and recovered later, as the crime was complete at the point of the hijack.

“The defendants are hereby found guilty as charged and sentenced to death by hanging,” Justice Ogala said.

Earlier during the trial, the prosecution called three witnesses including the victim, the owner of the truck and the IPO to establish the offence committed by convicts.

The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Dr Babajide Martians, said “the decision to prosecute the defendants is vindicated by the court judgment.

“Members of the public should see law enforcement officers as succour in public and not as threat to their public safety,” he said.