“The NSCDC has existed since the year 1967, precisely during the Nigerian Civil war and we are greatful to the government for regularizing us as a substantive Paramilitary Agency in the year 2003,” Keshinro said.

The State Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ), Lagos State Command, Mr Adedotun Keshinro joined other stakeholders in the security ans safety sector to discuss and defend the roles of the NSCDC, so far in ensuring the peace and tranquility enjoyed by the government and the citizens in the sate. The Lagos State Commandant was also posed with questions touching grey areas in the conduct of the Corps’ personnel while discharging their duties in the state and across the federation at the panel session.

The Lagos State Commandant was ably represented by the Command’s Public Relations Officer ( PRO ), Deputy Superintendent of Corps Oluwaseun Abolurin, who also joined the representatives of the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Airforce, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos State Fire Service and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority on the monthly roundtable discussion organized by the Centre for the Defence of Human Rights ( CDHR ) in collaboration with Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership ( CACOL ), yesterday, Thursday, 25th April, 2024.

In response to the question asked by the National President of CDHR and Chairman of CACOL, Comrade Debo Adeniran ( moderator ), on why the personnel of the corps have now abandoned their statutory roles in pursuit of protection of big houses and big people in the country rather than wanting to be posted to the creeks?

The Command’s PRO, who represented the Lagos State Commandant responded to the above question by first refuting the statement and on the other hand stated the clear and distinctive roles of the NSCDC in accordance with the Act of the National Assembly of 2003 and the Amendment Act of 2007 and the National Policy Strategy on the Protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure of 2019, other extant laws and Standard Operating Procedures, which the Corps has been empowered and authorized with to fulfill its mandates without fear of intimidation or favour.

The unflinching roles of our personnel in the creeks and all flash points and black spots across the state were also enumerated amidst the human and natural challenges also faced in a bid to carry out the assignments, such as some getting injured, mimed or others paying the supreme prices. He clearly sated that the personnel of the Corps are largely driven by an uncommon passion and love for country and that is why today, we have our men in virtually all the major operations going on in this country.

It was further stated that security is dynamic as the Corps will continue to carry out any task given or added to its functions by the Federal Government as we have always done with the Agro – Rangers, Safe School Program and even the recently inaugurated Mining Marshals and others. However, we will not loose focus on the fulfilment of our core mandates as clearly enshrined in the Act establishing the Corps in a bid to continue to play a critical and exponential role in the security architecture of our dear country.

Recall that the NSCDC came out boldly and partook in the operational strategies that resolved the ‘ENDSARS SAGA,’ and stopped it from escalating beyond control in Lagos State. Arsonists, shenanigans, hoodlums, miscreants, touts, tugs and many more unscrupulous elements were stopped by the NSCDC from carrying out their illicit and selfish evil desires in the state without prejudice to others, who also played a very major role at the time.

“The NSCDC has existed since the year 1967, precisely during the Nigerian Civil war and we are grateful to the government for regularizing us as a substantive Paramilitary Agency in the year 2003 and further strengthening us more and more continuously,” Keshinro said. This is a clear indication without mincing words that the Government has been very supportive of the Corps and wished us to deliver on our mandates as enshrined in the Act establishing us. The Lagos State Government has also being of immense support to the success of our operations in the state.

……4 Lastma Officers seriously injured during the attack.

…….54 Viju Milk trucks impounded by Lastma for illegal parking.

……Lastma operational vehicles damaged.

The Lagos State Government has finalized preparations to prosecute five individuals arrested for assaulting LASTMA personnel during an enforcement operation in the Oba Akran Avenue area of Ikeja, Lagos.

Mr. Adebayo Taofiq, Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment at LASTMA, in a statement confirmed that on April 23, 2024, LASTMA operatives conducted an operation to remove illegally parked Viju Milk trucks on Oba Akran Avenue in response to numerous complaints from the public about the trucks causing traffic congestion.

During the operation, four LASTMA officers sustained serious injuries from weapons wielded by Viju Milk truck drivers and local miscreants.

“While Lastma operational vehicles were vandalized, 54 Viju Milk truck were evacuated by Lastma during the enforcement operations”

The police, working alongside LASTMA, arrested five of these individuals (Falomo Oluwafemi, Afeniyi Stephen, Olamide Adekunle, Chukwu Guaja Eze and Adeshina Sulaimon) seized various weapons including broken bottles, iron rods, charms, knives, and cutlasses.

The injured LASTMA officers were promptly taken to the hospital for medical attention.

Hon. Sola Giwa, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, stated that the arrested individuals would be prosecuted by the government as a deterrent to others.

The State Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Anambra State Command, Comdt. Maku Olatunde in a renewed effort to enhance security across Anambra State has sued for greater synergy and collaboration with the Nigerian Army.

Comdt. Maku made the appeal on Wednesday, April 24,2022 while on a familiarization visit to the Commander, 302 Artillery Regiment (302 AR) Nigerian Army, Onitsha, Anambra State, Col. M. B. Abubakar.

According to Comdt. Maku ” most of the confidence we have as NSCDC personnel is as a result of the Nigerian Army, you remember when I resumed my tour of duty, I saw the existing relationship between all security agencies and I keyed into it. I am proud to say that you have not disappointed me”

The NSCDC State Commandant, thanked the Nigerian Army for their continuous support to the NSCDC and promised to work with the Military to tackle insecurity across the state.

” In executing our Core mandate in the protection of Critical National, State and Local Government Assets and infrastructure, we have sought for your synergy and I am happy to say, you have without hesitation availed us. Thank you for always partnering with us ” he said.

Comdt.Maku commended the Nigerian Army for being a supportive partner to NSCDC in the area of training and retraining of the Corps personnel, joint operations, fight against illegal oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism, illegal oil refining and petroleum black market racketeering. He called for increased inter agency collaboration to rid the state of practices inimical to economic growth and development.

In his response, Col. M. B. Abubakar appreciated Comdt. Maku for the visit and assured him of enhanced support, collaboration and synergy in the overall interests of the nation.

” Actually when I assumed office, I prevailed on the Service Commanders to have a common goal, which must be built on a genuine synergy, I am glad we agreed to work together and till today we have not deviated from it.

“We have been doing things together, no single agency can solve the security problems of any state, it has to be a collective effort”.

Col. Abubakar gave the assurance that the Nigerian Army will continue to do its best to assist NSCDC succeed in Anambra State.

” We would continue to collaborate, if we are together, it will send a strong signal to the criminal elements that we are out for them. When you find something beneficial to us operational wise , do not hesitate to call us.

He acknowledged NSCDC as one of the trusted agencies in internal security and called on them to sustain the tempo in carrying out its assigned peculiar function.

“We are happy to have you in our midst, very grateful that you thought it wise to pay us a visit. We are pursuing the same purpose as security agencies which is national security. There is no superiority, the only difference is our individual mandates ” he concluded.