NSCDC Disburses Over N600m To Personnel, Families Of Fallen Officers

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has disbursed over N600m in insurance benefits to 146 personnel and families of deceased officers from 2023 to 2024.

During the International Civil Defence Organisation (ICDO) celebration on Monday at the NSCDC headquarters in Abuja, cheques were presented to the beneficiaries.

The ICDO is observed annually on March 1 to promote civil defence preparedness and recognise the contributions of civil organisations worldwide.

According to a Group Life Insurance Policy report released by the NSCDC Public Relations Department, the payments were drawn from the 2023/2024 signed insurance policy.

While presenting some of the cheques, NSCDC Commandant-General (CG) Ahmed Audi, noted that among the beneficiaries were the families of five personnel killed in November 2024 while conducting surveillance on national grid installations in Shiroro Local Government Area, Niger State.

Audi highlighted findings from NSCDC research, which suggested a link between illegal mining and banditry in the country.

“Reports indicate that illegal miners often use bandits as cover for their operations,” he said.

He also commended NSCDC’s mining marshals for boosting revenue from mining activities.

“The revenue profile was previously low, but after deploying the marshals, royalties from mining have improved significantly,” he stated.

On the broader security front, Audi noted that kidnapping incidents had reduced due to enhanced cooperation among security agencies.

He attributed many of NSCDC’s recent successes to the use of non-kinetic security approaches, particularly in protecting schools and engaging key stakeholders like parents, school authorities, and community leaders.

“Non-kinetic approach has yielded good results in the protection of schools, engagement of school authorities, parents, community leaders amongst others,” he said.

He further emphasised the impact of the NSCDC’s Integrated Arrest Reporting System, which has improved response times to distress calls, which has led to better security outcomes nationwide.

Also, the CG disclosed that the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has directed the NSCDC to implement scientific reforms aimed at institutionalizing the operations of Private Guard Companies (PGC).

Speaking at the event, Secretary of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Service Board (CDCFIB), Abdulmalik Jubril, stressed the importance of promoting civil engagement in security efforts.

“As we celebrate today, we are reminded of the importance of preparedness, prevention, and quick response in times of disaster. We must also prioritize collective action, international cooperation, and community involvement in civil defence and disaster risk reduction,” Jubril stated.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by Deputy Inspector-General of Police Frank Mbah, reaffirmed the police force’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the NSCDC.

“The success of any civil defence organisation depends on its ability to seamlessly partner with other security agencies. We assure the corps of our commitment to intelligence sharing, joint training, and coordinated operations,” Egbetokun said.

NSCDC Disburses Over N600m To Personnel, Families Of Fallen Officers is first published on The Whistler Newspaper