NSCDC warns against attacks on infrastructure, urges civility

• Bans use of live ammunition on protesters

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Olusola Odumosu, has cautioned intending protesters and the general public against attacks on critical national assets and infrastructure, saying this contravenes the law.

At an emergency meeting with Area Commanders and Divisional Officers in Abuja, Odumosu tasked his personnel with protecting public and private properties and ensuring that the protest was not hijacked by hoodlums.

The commandant also warned hoodlums and individuals who may hide under the guise of protesters to attack public utilities in the FCT and cause chaos to desist from doing so, as this will attract the wrath of the law.

Odumosu said that, in keeping with the directive of the NSCDC’s Commandant General (CG), Dr Ahmed Audi, on the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure during the nationwide protest, the FCT command will leave no stone unturned to carry out its mandate.

Therefore, he ordered the immediate deployment of 5,000 personnel to strategic locations to cover all the nooks and crannies of the FCT, including all the area councils.

The commandant also called on the protest organisers to embrace dialogue, stating that much more can be achieved at the roundtable than embarking on actions detrimental to public peace and safety.

To further ensure that all hands are on deck, the commandant directed that all personnel on leave or pass be recalled back to base. He insisted that 24-hour surveillance of critical national assets is a top priority and directed that the NSCDC operational guidelines be followed to the letter to bring perpetrators to book. Personnel should work in synergy with other security agencies on the field and exhibit a great deal of decorum and civility while interfacing with peaceful protesters.

The commandant directed that the rules of engagement must be strictly adhered to and warned that the Commandant General has banned the use of live ammunition on any protester; hence, any officer who acts in defiance of this order will face a severe penalty.

Similarly, the Lagos State Commandant of the corps, Adedotun Keshinro, appealed to Lagosians to keep peaceful and civil conduct during the protest. Briefing newsmen at the command’s Alausa Ikeja headquarters, Keshinro assured Lagosians that the corps is working closely with other security forces.

“We have been working ahead of today to ensure the protest goes smoothly. We have deployed our officers at strategic places to ensure law and order. Law-abiding citizens should not be afraid as they are there to keep them safe and ensure that the protest remains peaceful,” he said.

He appealed to Lagosians to adhere to the venue assigned to them: Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park and Peace Park in Ketu, stressing that any violator would be prosecuted adequately.

Keshinro further appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the government, which is working hard to ensure that life becomes easier for them and that the protest is peaceful.