Rauf Aregbesola, the Minister of Interior, has tasked Ahmed Audi, the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to implement effective national security strategies to assist in the battle against insecurity.
Aregbesola said this in a statement signed by the Corps Spokesperson, Mr Olusola Odumosu and made available to Newsmen on Wednesday March 31, 2021, in Abuja.
During a working visit to the NSCDC Headquarters, the Minister was represented by Dr Shuaib Belgore, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry.
Aregbesola expressed trust in the new Controller General’s ability to reposition the corps as a more significant player in the country’s security architecture.
He expressed grieve over the country’s state of insecurity, which he said had posed a challenge to everyone as a nation.
He also urged Audi to take on the challenge of returning Nigeria to the days when people could freely drive on Nigerian roads without fear of being stranded, abducted, or assassinated.
Aregbesola assured the NSCDC chief that returning the nation to a safe haven was not beyond the corps’ capabilities.
“There is a justification for Mr President’s appointment as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, and it is important that you return our country to safety and peace,” he said.
Audi’s selection by the president, he said, was based on the observation that he had the capacity to improve Nigeria’s security environment, which had been the subject of a lot of work and investment.
“Because Nigeria has so much appeal in terms of terrain, geography, population, agricultural layout, market, and infrastructure, the minister said, there is a need to preserve, defend, and sustain our nation by sustaining internal peace and security.
Aregbesola stated that prior to the appointment of the new NSCDC director, the organization faced challenges in meeting the country’s needs and fulfilling the corps’ mandates, which were constantly expanding.
“To meet the needs of the country, everyone in the corps must be on the same page with the CG, so I charge all officers and men to offer unwavering support to him who has a fantastic vision, which he enumerated on the day he was sworn in by the minister.
“He has grand plans that everyone should follow, and everyone should make sure that these plans are carried out,” he said.
He also tasked the corps commander with ensuring that he fulfilled his responsibilities and achieved the goal that all Nigerians anticipate and desire.
He assured the commandant of his ministry’s help, promising to provide him with the resources he needs to succeed in implementing policies and programs that will bring the corps up to speed with its counterparts around the world.
“We are confident in the policy and direction that the commandant has set out to accomplish these objectives, which includes institutional reforms, operational and training programs, as well as disciplinary compliance and adjustment.
“As there is a lot of work to be done, there is really no other administrative, operational, or disciplinary way to do this,” he said.
The NSCDC director thanked the minister for his support since taking office and promised to work tirelessly to ensure the protection of vital national assets and infrastructure, farming communities, and schoolchildren across the country.
He stated that under his leadership, the corps would be re-energized and developed into a formidable force that would continue to provide services that would justify the trust placed in her by all Nigerians.
