The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has directed all State Commandants and their personnel to safeguard the nation’s critical infrastructure in light of the upcoming nationwide protest.
NSCDC Commandant General Ahmed Abubakar Audi gave the directive on Friday, July 26, according to a statement by the Corps’ Public Relations Officer Babawale Afolabi.
“The NSCDC is a Federal Government paramilitary agency with statutory roles and responsibilities, and we remain the lead agency in the protection of all critical national assets and infrastructure across the nation.
Consequently, I have directed all State Commandants, Provosts of Colleges, and Heads of various formations to be on red alert, ensuring that the protection of all critical infrastructure and assets is taken very seriously.
Our commitment to the protection of the lives and property of the Nigerian people is paramount, and we will not fold our arms and allow some fifth columnists to instigate Nigerians and its youth against the Federal Government under the pretence of staging demonstrations or protests.
Notably, the present economic hardship is not limited to Nigeria alone; it is a global phenomenon that nations of the world are facing serious and critical economic downturns, including inflation and food supply shortages occasioned by climatic and environmental changes and other factors which the government in power is making concerted efforts to resolve while ameliorating the pains of the people.
While we wish to acknowledge the constitutional rights of Nigerian citizens to hold peaceful protests, it has been clearly proved, and indicators have shown that desperate criminals and non-state actors may hijack the proposed protests.
Based on the foregoing, the NSCDC and other security agencies are working in synergy to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order, state of anarchy, pandemonium, vandalism, robbery or breach of public peace,” Audi said.
