...says their interventions yielding results

The Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ebonyi State Command Commander Francis Nnadi on Friday said that the Command security interventions are yielding results as many offenders have been arrested and prosecuted.

He added that the command had issued a September deadline to illegal miners operating across the state to regularise their activities or face arrest and prosecution.

Speaking with journalists in his office at Abakaliki, Commander Francis Nnadi noted that the command would intensify enforcement against unauthorised mining and other activities capable of undermining public safety and degrading the environment.

Nnadi said community engagement remained critical to sustainable mining, arguing that mining operators must recognise the legitimate interests of host communities and ensure that the benefits accruing from mining activities were fairly channelled to them.

He said such engagement was essential not only for peaceful mining operations but also for preventing disputes and strengthening community cooperation with regulatory and security agencies.

He disclosed that the NSCDC had strengthened its community-based intelligence architecture in Ebonyi through what he described as the “Civil Defence Community” initiative.

According to him, more than 1,000 residents have already been enrolled in the initiative, which provides a structured channel for law-abiding citizens, including farmers, hunters and residents in remote communities, to relay security information to the Corps.

Nnadi said the initiative had contributed to several arrests through intelligence generated at the grassroots, adding that the command planned to expand and digitise the platform in its next phase.

He explained that the objective was to shorten the intelligence-to-response cycle by enabling residents to pass actionable information to security authorities promptly.

The commandant also highlighted the “Operation Know Your Neighbour” initiative, which he said was designed to encourage residents, landlords and community leaders to know the identities and activities of people living within their neighbourhoods.

According to him, effective community vigilance remains an important component of preventive security, particularly in identifying unusual activities before they escalate into serious criminal incidents.

Nnadi said the Corps was not opposed to legitimate mining activities, noting that properly licensed mining operations could contribute to revenue generation, employment creation and local economic development.

He, however, warned that individuals and groups engaging in mining without the requisite licences, registration or other statutory approvals would be treated as illegal operators and dealt with in accordance with the law.

According to him, the command is working in collaboration with the Ebonyi State Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to strengthen regulatory enforcement and ensure that mining activities are conducted within the framework of extant laws and approved safety standards.

Nnadi also expressed concern over the practice of abandoning excavated mining sites without reclamation, warning that open pits pose serious risks to residents and could accelerate erosion and other forms of environmental degradation.

He said authorised miners were expected to reclaim mining sites after exhausting viable mineral deposits, stressing that leaving deep excavations unattended could endanger surrounding communities and expose residents to avoidable hazards.

The NSCDC boss said the command would no longer tolerate such practices, adding that enforcement operations would be intensified throughout September.

He further explained that mining activities involved potential environmental and safety risks, including emissions and other hazards, which made compliance with prescribed procedures imperative.

On election security, Nnadi said the command would commence another three-month in-house training programme for its personnel towards the end of September as part of preparations for future electoral assignments.

He said the training would focus on tactical competence, discipline, professionalism, operational coordination and adherence to rules of engagement, particularly in view of the security demands associated with election periods.

He added that the NSCDC was committed to maintaining discipline among its personnel and urged members of the public to report any officer found acting unprofessionally.

Nnadi also disclosed that the command had expanded its Safe School Initiative across the three senatorial zones of the state, with the aim of strengthening preventive security awareness among pupils, students, teachers and school administrators.

He said the command had developed a database of schools across the state and was working with relevant stakeholders to improve school safety through risk profiling, security awareness, training and community participation.

According to him, the initiative was designed to ensure that children acquire basic security consciousness early in life, including knowing how to respond to suspicious persons, unsolicited gifts and other potential threats.

The commandant said the Corps had also established a female special force and quick-response capacity to support emergency interventions and security operations across the state.

He called for sustained collaboration among security agencies, traditional institutions, religious bodies, civil society organisations, corporate organisations, communities and the media to strengthen public safety.