Why Nigeria Must Establish an Air Wing for the NSCDC Now
By Chris Echikwu Nigeria stands at a critical juncture in managing its internal security. Rising insecurity – from mass kidnappings and school attacks to assaults on religious institutions and the displacement of rural communities – has exposed a glaring weakness in the nation’s security architecture. While government efforts, including troop deployments and recruitment drives, are important, the reality is clear: Nigeria needs not just more boots on the ground, but new eyes in the sky. The call for an Air Wing within the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has never been more urgent. Insecurity Has Outpaced Our Security System Criminal networks exploit Nigeria’s forests, borderlands, and waterways as operational hideouts. Camps and routes exist deep in ungoverned spaces, beyond the reach of standard patrols. Ground forces are often reactive, arriving after crimes have already occurred. School kidnappings have become a hallmark of this crisis. Children are abducted, transported through bush corridors, and hidden in forest camps for weeks or months. The state frequently responds too late, relying only on limited human intelligence and local reports. This is not just a tactical failure, it is a structural one. Nigeria’s internal security agencies remain almost entirely land-based in an era where surveillance, rapid response, and deterrence demand aerial capabilities. Why the NSCDC is the Right Agency The NSCDC is far from peripheral. It already plays a central role in Nigeria’s internal security: Yet, it cannot effectively monitor or respond to threats across vast forests, swamps, and deserts. An Air Wing would transform the NSCDC from a reactive, defensive body into an intelligence-driven force. Strategic Benefits of an NSCDC Air Wing An Air Wing would provide: This is not about militarizing the NSCDC; it is about modernizing it. Across Africa and Asia, countries Nigeria often compares itself to already deploy drones and light aircraft as standard tools for internal security. Fighting 21st-century crime with 20th-century methods is no longer viable. Financing: Affordable and Sustainable Arguments that Nigeria “cannot afford it” ignore the true cost of inaction. Insecurity already drains the economy through: A modest fleet of drones and light aircraft would cost far less than the economic loss caused by a single kidnapping wave. Financing could come from: The return on investment would be immediate. The Risk of Doing Nothing Without modernization, the human and economic toll will worsen: A state that cannot see its territory cannot govern it. Conclusion: The Skies Matter Nigeria faces a choice: remain trapped in reactive security measures or invest in intelligence, speed, and foresight. An NSCDC Air Wing will not end insecurity overnight, but it will end Nigeria’s blindness to the spaces where crime is planned and executed. National security is no longer determined solely by personnel numbers, but by the ability to see, interpret, and respond faster than the threat. Nigeria must choose vision over delay.
NSCDC reaffirms commitment to protecting oil facilities despite attack of personnel
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Bayelsa Command, has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting critical national infrastructure in spite of the recent unfortunate incident. Bayelsa Commandant of the NSCDC, Eweka Douglas, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday. Douglas said oil thieves had recently attacked its officers, who were working in collaboration with Tantita Security Services, which resulted in the gruesome killing of one of its men. He, however, noted that the incident would not dampen the morale of its officers and men. He said that the Corps remained resolute in its determination to clamp down on vandals and oil thieves operating in the state. Douglas said the operation took place near Igbomotoru community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of thestate. He said the attack led to the death of an NSCDC officer after the patrol team was attacked by suspected oil thieves. According to him, the incident occurred at about 2:30 p.m. on April 10, as the joint team was returning from an anti-vandal operation. “The officers were ambushed, and a gun battle ensued, resulting in the unfortunate death of one NSCDC personnel. “The NSCDC will not be deterred by attacks from vandals intent on sabotaging government efforts to eradicate illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta,” he said. He added that the NSCDC high command commended the bravery and resilience of the patrol team and disclosed that a manhunt had been launched to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice. Meanwhile, the remains of the fallen officer, Victor Ibang, have been deposited in the morgue. The Corps expressed condolences to his family and assured them that all necessary burial rites and benefits would be duly accorded to the late officer.
FCT Police Take Custody Of Suspect In Alleged Kidnap, Attempted Murder In Abuja Hotel
The FCT Police Command says it has taken custody of a 30-year-old male suspect of Ondo State, Joseph Efe, from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, FCT Command. Joseph was arrested on 17th September 2024 in Abuja for the alleged kidnapping, robbery, and attempted murder of the young lady, Olivia Ijeoma Chukwuemeka, a 25-year-old female of Abia State, whom he confined in a room at Top View hotel, Wuse, Abuja. A video which has since gone viral showed the Ijeoma confined in a room with her legs tied. Reports claimed she was kidnapped to be used for a money ritual. Spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh confirmed the receipt of the suspect in a statement issued on Monday evening. “While discreet investigation into the matter has commenced, the FCT police command wishes to reaffirm its commitment to collaborate with other relevant security agencies in the effort against crime and criminality within the Federal Capital Territory,” the statement reads. The command had said it was waiting for the NSCDC to hand over the suspect to it for diligent investigation.
Kidnapped Corps Members Regain Freedom
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has confirmed that eight corps members who were kidnapped earlier by unidentified gunmen while travelling from Uyo in Akwa Ibom State to Sokoto State have regained their freedom. The Director-General of NYSC, Yushahu Ahmed, confirmed this to newsmen on Friday, cautioning Corps Members to avoid nighttime travels. Ahmed emphasized that the welfare and security of all members will remain the foremost concern of the organization. “You will remember when these four members were travelling from Uyo in Akwa Ibom to Sokoto. “They were kidnapped on 17 August 2024 on Funtua Bisau Road in Zamfara State. “While in Zambara, we collaborated with the Army, Police, DSS and traditional rulers. “We also had a meeting with the governor of Zambara State regarding the kidnapping of the prospective corps members. “Consequently, through the combined effort of the security agencies, especially the Nigerian army and the NYSC, the mission started yielding results with the rescue of the first set of prospective four members,” Ahmed stated in a statement issued today.
NSCDC Nabs 6 Suspected Vandals In Jigawa
The Nigeria Security and Civili Defense Corps (NSCDC) has arrested six suspects for alleged theft and vandalism in Dutse, Jigawa. The Spokesman of the Corps, CSC Adamu Shehu, who confirmed the arrest in Dutse, said the suspects were also apprehended over alleged theft of 30 ceiling fans. He said that personnel of ths Corps arrested the suspects on Monday November 6, following a tipoff. “Personnel of the Corps have arrested six suspects involved in vandalism, theft, criminal conspiracy and receiving stolen property. “Three suspects aged between 20 and 23, all students of Jigawa State Polytechnic, Dutse, were arrested on Nov. 6, following a report by the Zai-Galadimawa community that a burnt armoured cable suspected to be vandalised and kept in one particular compound was sighted,” he said. Shehu said that operatives of the Corps nabbed two of the suspects while trying to retrieve the vandalised cable from the site, adding that further investigation led to the arrest of the third suspected vandal. He said the suspects allegedly vandalised a 2HP 15KW submersible water pump, wiring and water pipes belonging to the Sahad Stores in Dutse. The spokesman said the suspects allegedly carted away 30 ceiling fans at a newly constructed hostel in the school. He said the Corps also arrested three other suspects who allegedly bought the vandalised items from the suspects, “Burnt armoured cable, electric wires, 25 ceiling fans and submersible water pump were recovered from the suspects,” adding that they would soon be charged to court.
NSCDC Deploys Undercover Agents To Schools
The Commandant General (CG) of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence (NSCDC), has ordered the immediate deployment of undercover agents to schools and host communities to enhance security in schools nationwide. The CG gave the order on Friday in Kaduna at the closing ceremony of a five- day capacity building on Safe School Response. No fewer than 200 NSCDC personnel and other stakeholders from the seven states in the North West attended the five-day programme. The capacity building was organised by the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre (NSSRCC). Audi said that the Corps would partner with the Ministry of Education in each state and Local Education Authorities for the successful implementation of the directive. According to him, the capacity building is to strengthen the resilience of relevant stakeholders including vigilante groups, retired security personnel, host communities and serving personnel of NSCDC. He explained that the programme was to imbue in them all strategies and knowledge on how to provide protection for schools and host communities from violence and attacks. Audi who was represented by ACG Training and Capacity Building, David Abi, said that the NSSRCC was a critical component of the implementation strategy of the National Plan on Safe Schools. He said that the plan was developed by government to mobilise synergy among security agencies and relevant stakeholders towards schools’ protection. The CG acknowledged the rising cases of attacks and violence on schools in Nigeria and its attendant negative impacts, including increasing the rate of out of school children in the country. “The strategic plan is based on the whole-of-society approach with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps as the lead agency. “The Corps is also hosting the headquarters of the Centre, saddled with the responsibility of coordinating safety and security response for schools and host communities in collaboration with all security agencies and other relevant stakeholders. “The Centre is the first of its kind in Africa; available records indicate that no other country has this kind of facility with the sole responsibility of providing safety and security prevention and protection measures for schools and host communities.” He CG said in view of the recurring attacks and violence in schools in the country, the task ahead of the centre was enormous. “It requires effective synergy and collaboration from all stakeholders including the Federal, State and Local Governments. “It is also pertinent to state that the Standard Operating Procedure of the Centre provides for creation of state coordinating centres and local government response centres for effective and seamless operation. “It is for this singular fact the I respectfully present on behalf of the centre, the request for the kind consideration for allocation of an existing structure within each of the state capitals in the North-West to serve as the safe school coordination centres,” he said. The CG told the participants that the task ahead of them was enormous. “Be reminded that aside being ambassadors of the centre, you are equally the foot soldiers who are in direct contact with the members of schools and host communities,” he said. He charged them to ensure that the knowledge gained from this training was put into effective practice in the discharge of their duties. “Furthermore, members of the vigilante groups and private guards’ company must be ready to collaborate and work in harmony with security agencies to facilitate effective protection of our schools.” Also, the General Officer Commanding (GOC)1 Division Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Valentine Okoro, said that the national plan for safe schools was a programme developed by government to mobilise synergy among security agencies. The GOC, represented by Brig.-Gen. Henry Yanet, Commander 51 Signals, said already, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, had directed enjoined army units and formation to work with other security agencies in protecting the civil populace. In his remarks, Kaduna State Governor, Sen. Uba Sani, reiterated the state government’s commitment to partnering with all security agencies to enhance public safety. The governor was represented by the Administrator, Kaduna Capital Territory Authority, Mr Samuel Aruwan.
Civil Defence decorates newly promoted officers in Jigawa
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Jigawa State Command, has decorated officers recently promoted to various ranks during the 2022 Senior Officers promotion. A statement signed by the spokesperson of the Command, Mr Adamu Shehu, made this known on Saturday. He said that the decoration took place on Friday with two officers promoted to Deputy Commandants, six Superintendents of Corps and three Assistant Supretendents of Corps. Others included 1 Deputy Superintendent of Corps, 11 Assistant Superintendents of Corps and 18 Inspectors of Corps promoted to Assistant Supreintendents of Corps. While congratulating the newly decorated officers, the State Commandant, Mr Musa Malah, in the statement, charged them to discharge their duties to reciprocate the gesture. He further commended the Commandant General of the Corps, Mr Ahmed Abubakar-Audi, for his commitment and determination in improving personnel welfare. The statement revealed that while responding on behalf of the newly decorated officers, the Head of Finance, Mr Shehu Bakari, assured the State Commandant of their resolve to give their best in their places of assignments. They vowed to continue protecting the interest of the corps wherever they found themselves.
NSCDC arrests 3 black marketers, impounds crafted vehicles
The Niger Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has arrested three suspected ‘black marketers’ for fabricating huge extra tanks in their vehicles. The Public Relations officer of the corps, DSC Nasire Abdullahi, stated this while addressing news on the arrest in Minna on Wednesday. He said that the command had also impounded four vehicles used for the operation. According to him, the Anti-Vandal Squad of the command, acting on credible intelligence on Tuesday, arrested four vehicles at the mega station of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) in Minna. “It was discovered that the vehicles were fitted with special constructed fuel tanks,” he said. He said the suspects are, Ismaila Mohammed, 27, Ibrahim Usman, 42 and Idris Adamu, 39. The spokesman said that the driver of one of the vehicles escaped and efforts were on to arrest him. Abubakar said that the suspects would purchase the PMS at the Federal Government regulated price of N196 per litre, and sell to the public at N250 and N300. He said that the activities of the suspects was causing untold hardship for members of the public. Abdullahi said that one of the vehicles, a Toyota Corolla carried 500 litres of PMS in a fabricated constructed tank with 14 jerry cans measuring 25 litres. He said that the second vehicle, a Toyota car also carryied an inbuilt tank of 500 litres, while the third, a Jetta car carried constructed 200 litres with a normal 70 litres removed from another vehicle. Abubakar said that the fourth vehicle whose driver escaped carried inbuilt tank measuring 1,000 litres. He said that the Manager of the NNPC mega station has been invited for questioning. Abdullahi said that after diligent investigations the suspects would be arraigned in court. He said that the corps would not relent in its task to protect the critical assets of the country. “The NSCDC will continue to keep 24 hours surveillance in all government facilities in Niger. “The corps will clampdown on vandals and other economic saboteurs,” he said. Ibrahim Usman, one of the suspects said that he ventured into the business because he has no job. Usman who has two wives and 13 children, said that they normally tip the fuel pump attendants at NNPC to get the PMS. “We give them N2, 000 to N3,000 to sell fuel to us. “I cannot steal to take care of my family, so I have to go into buying and selling of fuel,” he said. President Bola Tinubu had on Monday announced the end of fuel subsidy, making the NNPC and other filling stations to increase the pump price between N537 and N600 per litre across the country.
Hoarding: NSCDC reads riot act to fuel marketers
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has warned petroleum products markerters against making life difficult for citizens by hoarding and hiking the pump prices. The Commandant of the Corps in Zamfara, Mr Muhammad Muazu, issued the warning in a statement by the command’s Public Relation Officer, Mr Ikor Oche, and made available to newsmen in Gusau on Wednesday. According to him, the Corps has observed with dismay the unwarranted artificial scarcity of petroleum products created by marketers sequel to President Bola Tinubu’s pronouncement of the removal of subsidy on the products. Muazu described the act as sabotage and attempt to scuttle the smooth take off of the new administration in the country. He explained that NSCDC was saddled with the responsibility of ensuring a free supply of petroleum products to the right destination without diversion or hoarding. The commandant therefore assured that the Corps would deal with any filling station found hoarding or causing artificial scarcity in accordance with the law. He warned all petroleum dealers to desist from making life unbearable for the citizens.
Civil Defence nabs 5 suspected phone snatchers in Kano
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kano State Command has arrested five suspected phone snatchers, the command’s spokesperson, Mr Ibrahim Idris-Abdullahi said on Wednesday. Idris-Abdullahi, who listed the suspects as: Faisal Usman, 28, Mansur Isa, 38, Abdullahi Bashir, 25, Ahmed Ibrahim, 21and Zulkifil Bello, 25, said they specialise in stealing and snatching of phones. “The suspects operate and engage in a dastardly act around Sabon Gari, Fagge Local Government Area of the state, where they steal and snatch handsets belonging to innocent people. “Men of the corps intelligence and investigation department are on the trails of the suspects’ accomplices one Mr Sunday and Abdullahi) whom they used to sell the phones and Sim cards to,” he said. The spokesperson said that items, which include three mobile phones and a bunch of keys, were recovered from the suspects. He said investigation was ongoing, adding that once completed, the suspects will be charged to court. He said that the command would sustain the fight against phone snatching, crimes and criminality, as well as the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure.