NSCDC: We’ll take fight against crime to doorsteps of vandals, scavengers in Abuja

Olusola Odumosu, commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in federal capital territory (FCT) says his officers are ready to confront the growing criminal activities in Abuja.

Odumosu spoke in Abuja on Wednesday during the opening of a three-day capacity-building workshop for 280 personnel on arms bearing to foster service delivery.

He said officers and men of the command are determined to take the fight to the doorstep of criminals, urging them to be firm when dealing with vandals and miscreants.

“While being civil in your approach, duty and operations, I also encourage you to be firm on criminals because FCT is not the place for them,” NAN quoted Odumosu as saying.

“At the end of the training, we are going to strategise in such a way that residents of the FCT will know about the existence of NSCDC FCT command.

“Because we are going to take the fight to the doorsteps of all criminals, scavengers, vandals and all who make life unbearable for residents.”

Odumosu said that the trained personnel were drawn from area commands, divisional offices, departments and units of the corps.

He added that after the training, officers of the corps would be deployed to strategic areas to carry out some strategic security assignments.

“The training couldn’t have come at a better time than this in view of the various security challenges we are experiencing in the territory,” Odumosu said.

“I find it necessary to organise this training and retraining programme such that it would refresh our skills and ability to deliver on the mandate given to us.”

Odumosu warned against accidental discharge, adding that bearing arms does not give any personnel the right to humiliate or harass any member of the public.

“You must observe the rules of engagement anytime you are on duty and obey the words of command, the use of discretion when necessary is allowed but not at the detriment of the people you are meant to protect,” he said.

He said that the command had carried out various security patrols which had resulted in the arrest of no fewer than 85 scavengers, miscreants and criminals who hide under the pretence of being destitute to carry out nefarious activities.