Group faults Reps member, Shina Peller, over call to scrap NSCDC

A political pressure group, Concerned Nigerians, has faulted the representative of Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency in Oyo State, Shina Abiola Peller, over a proposed bill to scrap the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Reacting to the bill, which has passed first reading at the House of Representatives, convener of the group, Comrade Deji Adeyanju, described the call as ill-timed and a proposal brought in bad faith.

He said: “Nigeria is still grappling with several security issues and there is even a louder call for the establishment of state policing and others. So, calling for this is not well thought out.”

“The argument that the police and NSCDC perform the same function is misconceived and laughable. Beyond the general security functions, it is important to state that NSCDC is charged with the specific role of protecting our pipelines and training private security guards.

“While the security of our pipelines can be tied directly to the security of our economy, as the bulk of our national income comes from oil production, the training and vetting of private security guards cannot also be jettisoned, especially at this time when individuals are taking proactive measures to protect themselves against kidnapping, banditry, and other vices.”

He added: “In any event, it is even ironic that Peller has proposed this bill at the time the National Assembly is considering state policing in its constitutional amendment process. Rather than scrap the NSCDC, we should be calling for more funding and training for the agency, to enable it effectively perform its roles.”