The Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has called on the House of Representatives Committee on Constitutional Review to address the challenges faced by the corps by granting it full constitutional recognition.
The appeal was made during the South-South Zonal Public Hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution, held in Calabar. Represented by Assistant Commandant-General Ayinla Taiye Olowo, the NSCDC chief highlighted the frequent harassment, arrests, and even killings of its personnel while performing their duties.
Dr. Audi expressed concern over the repeated questioning of the NSCDC’s legal authority, with personnel often being challenged to present the Act that empowers them to carry out security operations.
Despite sharing the same objective of protecting lives and property with other security agencies, the NSCDC faces resistance, particularly regarding its constitutional backing. The corps urged the National Assembly to formally include it in the constitution, arguing that such recognition would strengthen its mandate and put an end to calls for its merger with other security agencies.
The NSCDC boss traced the organisation’s history back to its origins as a voluntary civil defence group during the Nigerian Civil War, later formalised through the NSCDC Act of 2003. He emphasised that constitutional recognition would not only legitimise the corps but also enhance its operational efficiency in safeguarding critical national infrastructure.
The proposed amendment, if approved, would provide legal clarity and reinforce the NSCDC’s role in national security, ensuring its personnel can perform their duties without undue interference. The appeal comes as Nigeria continues to review its constitution to address emerging governance and security challenges.
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cc: Daily Post Ng
