The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps says the corps is the only security agency saddled with the unique responsibility to protect critical assets of the federal government, the state governments and local government authorities in Nigeria.
The corps is also mandated with countless functions and numerous complimentary duties on the long run by the National Assembly.
The emphasis was made by the Delta State Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC DSC Emeka Peters Okwechime, during a current affairs program on TRENDfm in Asaba, while responding to calls for the scrapping of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps by the member representing Iseyin|Itesiwaju|Kajola federal constituency of Oyo state in the House of Representatives, Hon. Shina Peller.
Mr. Okwechime described the bill by the honorable member as the product of ill-informed perception of the functions of the NSCDC, noting that its consideration would be inimical to the efforts at tackling the current and emerging security and economic challenges facing the nation.
On the allegations of duplication of functions of the Nigeria police force, the PRO stressed that no amount of security personnel or security agencies was too much for the security of lives and properties untill the level of insecurity in the country has been decimated to minus zero, hence the National Assembly deemed it fit to enact the act establishing the NSCDC in 2007, with special and unique responsibility to protect and prosecute violators of public properties like pipeline vandals, oil thieves, as well as violators of electrical, power, railways and telecommunications installations.
DSC Emeka Okwechime also mentioned that NSCDC is mandated with the sole responsibility to recommend to the minister the approval of licences for private guard security outfits, with additional powers to monitor their activities, train and coordinate personnel of security firms.
The NSCDC through the licensing and registrations of these private guard companies, generate millions of naira into the federations accounts. It is prestigious to say and to note that the NSCDC penetrates into the fabrics of the society, communities, creeks, nooks and crannies and the grass roots to gather first hand intelligent security information which is sent to the National Security Adviser through the necessary channels.
He pointed other unique aspects of the civil defence corps to include the Special Mediation, Peace and Conflict Resolution mechanism of the NSCDC amongst others.
