NSCDC Sanctions 79 Officers, Dismisses 37, Arrests Pipeline Vandals

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has sanctioned 79 officers and men for various offences, including dismissing 37 personnel, as part of efforts to strengthen discipline and professionalism within the agency.

The Corps also announced the arrest of six suspected pipeline and infrastructure vandals as well as six suspected illegal firearms dealers during separate operations.

Commandant General of the NSCDC, Ahmed Audi, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing at the Corps’ National Headquarters in Abuja.

Represented by the NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, Audi said disciplinary proceedings involving 75 personnel had been concluded, while four others were undergoing administrative processes over separate allegations.

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According to him, the sanctioned personnel comprise one Assistant Commandant General, two Deputy Commandants, 35 other senior officers and 37 junior officers.

He said the offences included job racketeering, illegal recruitment, financial misconduct, sabotage, theft, negligence, dishonesty, absenteeism and other violations of service regulations.

Audi said the penalties ranged from dismissal and compulsory retirement to dismissal with recommendations for criminal prosecution where criminal liability had been established.

He disclosed that 37 personnel were dismissed after disciplinary proceedings.

The NSCDC boss also presented four personnel currently facing disciplinary action. He said three of them were transferred from the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police over alleged involvement in illegal arms and ammunition dealings, while the fourth is being investigated over alleged negligence and misconduct involving the treatment of a teenage domestic helper.

Audi directed that all disciplinary cases be concluded without delay, while criminal cases should be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

He stressed that the affected personnel remain entitled to their constitutional rights, including the presumption of innocence, until the appropriate disciplinary bodies or courts determine otherwise.

The Commandant General urged Nigerians not to judge the Corps by the misconduct of a few personnel, noting that the overwhelming majority of officers continue to serve with professionalism, integrity and dedication.

In a separate development, Audi said NSCDC operatives arrested four suspected vandals at Sabon Wuse in the Federal Capital Territory while transporting suspected vandalised railway materials.

He said a truck loaded with railway sleepers and other railway components was recovered from the suspects, who will face charges including criminal conspiracy, malicious damage to public property, acts of terrorism and unlawful possession of suspected stolen property.

The Corps also arrested two suspected power infrastructure vandals at Angwa Dudu in Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT for allegedly vandalising electricity cables and power lines.

Audi said efforts were ongoing to recover the stolen electrical installations linked to the suspects.

He further disclosed that intelligence-led operations led to the arrest of six civilian suspects over alleged illegal firearms transactions.

According to him, the principal suspect was intercepted in Enugu with military-grade weapons, ammunition, tactical equipment and materials suspected to be used for improvised explosive devices.

Follow-up operations in Enugu and Ebonyi states resulted in the arrest of five additional suspects linked to the alleged firearms syndicate.

Recovered items included pump-action guns, pistols, ammunition, communication gadgets, mobile phones, combat equipment and identity documents.

Audi said all the suspects would remain in custody pending the conclusion of multi-agency investigations and subsequent prosecution.

He reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to professionalism, accountability and the protection of critical national assets, while urging Nigerians to continue providing credible intelligence to support security operations.