NSCDC Sanctions 79 Personnel, Arrests 12 Suspects

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has sanctioned 79 personnel for various offences.

The corps also arrested six suspected pipeline vandals and six suspects over alleged illegal firearms dealings.

The NSCDC Commandant-General, Ahmed Audi, disclosed this during a press briefing on Wednesday at the corps’ National Headquarters in Abuja.

Audi, represented by the corps’ spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi, said disciplinary proceedings involving 75 personnel had been concluded, while four others were undergoing administrative processes over separate allegations.

He said the sanctioned personnel included one Assistant Commandant-General, two Deputy Commandants, 35 other senior officers and 37 junior officers.

According to him, the offences included job racketeering, illegal recruitment, financial misconduct, sabotage, theft, negligence, dishonesty, absenteeism and other breaches of service regulations.

He said the penalties ranged from dismissal and compulsory retirement to dismissal with recommendations for criminal prosecution where criminal liability was established.

The Commandant-General also revealed that 37 personnel were dismissed after disciplinary proceedings.

Audi said the dismissed personnel included two Mining Marshals operatives, who have been recommended for prosecution over the February operational incident that claimed the life of their commander in Nasarawa State.

He said investigations found no evidence of premeditated intent but established that they unlawfully engaged illegal miners with firearms without operational authorisation, contrary to established procedures.

“Their actions constituted grave misconduct, negligence and indiscipline,” he said.

Audi said investigations cleared the Mining Marshals Commander, John Onoja, the lead prosecutor and other management team members of alleged complicity.

“Allegations suggesting otherwise were found to be false and without factual basis,” he said.

The NSCDC boss presented the four personnel undergoing disciplinary action and the two dismissed Mining Marshals operatives before journalists.

According to him, three of the personnel facing ongoing disciplinary cases were transferred from the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police over alleged illegal arms and ammunition dealings.

He added that the fourth officer was facing disciplinary proceedings over alleged negligence and misconduct involving the treatment of a teenage domestic helper.

Audi directed that all disciplinary cases be concluded promptly, while criminal matters should be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“It is equally important to emphasise that the personnel presented today remain entitled to all constitutional rights, including the presumption of innocence until the appropriate disciplinary bodies and courts of competent jurisdiction determine otherwise,” he said.

He urged Nigerians not to construe the misconduct of the affected personnel as a reflection of the character, professionalism and dedication of the overwhelming majority of officers and men who continue to serve the country with honour, integrity and selfless commitment.

“The corps will continue to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct.

“Any personnel found wanting, irrespective of rank or position, will be held accountable in accordance with the law and the regulations governing the agency,” Audi said.

In another development, he said NSCDC operatives arrested four suspected vandals in the Sabon Wuse area of the Federal Capital Territory while they were transporting suspected vandalised railway materials.

The NSCDC helmsman said the suspects would be prosecuted for criminal conspiracy, malicious damage to public property, acts of terrorism and unlawful possession of suspected stolen property.

Audi further disclosed that operatives recovered a truck loaded with vandalised railway sleepers and other railway materials from the suspects.

He said that in a separate operation, operatives also arrested two suspected power infrastructure vandals in Angwa Dudu, Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT.

According to him, the suspects allegedly conspired to vandalise electricity cables and power lines serving the area.

He said they would be prosecuted for criminal conspiracy, vandalism of power lines and theft of critical national assets.

Audi added that efforts were ongoing to trace and recover the stolen electrical installations linked to the suspects.

The Commandant-General further disclosed that intelligence-led operations resulted in the arrest of six civilian suspects over alleged illegal firearms transactions and related security offences.

He said the principal suspect was intercepted in Enugu with military-grade weapons, ammunition, tactical equipment and suspected improvised explosive device materials.

Afolabi said follow-up operations in Ebonyi and Enugu states led to the arrest of five additional suspects linked to the alleged firearms syndicate.

“Recovered from the suspects were pump-action guns, ammunition, pistols, communication gadgets, mobile phones, combat equipment, identity documents and other items,” he said.

According to him, all the suspects will remain in custody while multi-agency investigations and legal processes continue.