The Kogi State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC has deployed over 2000 personnels to protect critical assets and hotspots across the state during Christmas and new year celebrations.
The state commandant , CD Aletan Olumide Ebenezer, made the disclosure while fielding questions from Journalists on Wednesday in Lokoja.
He said the Corps under his command is very ready to provide effective security for the people of Kogi State and to secure all national assets domiciled in the state.
He noted that in view of the ongoing security threats , he has placed his officers and men at red alert in Churches, Mosques and flash points to forestall peace and security for worshippers during the yuletide.
The Commandant disclosed the readiness of the corps to take on the added responsibility of providing protection for very important personalities VIP and assured that the responsibility was not new to the Corps as it has been offering such services to the VIPs in the past.
He said , kogi state is very critical to the nation, as it is the link between the North and South of the country, hence, all resources by the command and other security agencies would be harnessed to protect the state for the safety of residents and travellers at this festive season.
CD Ebenezer noted that on assumption of office, he deployed personnel to areas of needs to beef up security, as Kogi West was grossly understaffed.
He added that he created Isanlu Area Command which has recorded successes with interception of 21 trafficked children and arrest of eleven foreign nationals mostly from Niger Republic , who have been transfered to the relevant agency for profiling.
He stated that in the same token, he upgraded the Ofante- Ogugu outpost in Olamaboro LG to a division to provide effective security for it’s strategic location to Enugu and other states in the South East of Nigeria
He assured that the Federal Government ‘s directive mandating the corps to provide protection to VIPs and patrol on the highways would not pose a challenge to the command as the corps is ever ready and working ahead of the directive.
He admitted the contributions of Military, Police, DSS and other paramilitary agencies who have been working in synergy with the command to rid the state free of crime and criminality and urged citizenry to provide actionable information to the security Agencies.
He said as part of his operational style, he organized regular meetings with area Commanders and Divisional officers to foster cooperation and engagement that have boosted the morale of personnel with optimal performance.
He disclosed that a conducive work environment has a direct influence on performance, hence ,the renovation of office spaces and upgrade of the command clinic to meet the health needs of the personnel, stressing that it is mandatory for personnel to undergo medical check up every Wednesday to keep officers and men fit for duty.
He further explained that within 100 days on assumption in the state, he has instilled in the hearts of personnel the importance of time management defining essence of resuming on time at duty post , which he said, has spurned improvement across the administrative , operational and intelligence gathering function in the command
” We have identified illegal mining sites, arrested illegal miners, made those who have no valid license to register with Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, thereby generating revenue for the state. We have Strengthened Anti vandals unit, provided humanitarian services both within and outside the command.We have also rejig and reinvigorated intelligence and investigation department. We Commenced intensive training and retraining with the Women Squad properly positioned to providing protection to schools in the state.
He commended the police, Military, DSS and other sister agencies for the robust cooperation and synergy that has contributed significantly to the reduction of crime and criminality in the Kogi.
While thanking the Security Trust Fund for refurbishing some of their broken down operational vehicles which has added impetus to quick response to threat, commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for prioritizing Security, who is always leading from the front, giving necessary support to the command.
