The Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has reiterated his commitment to people’s oriented policies in combating vandalism, illegal dredging, illegal mining and sabotage of the nation’s economic resources.
To this effect, the NSCDC, Lagos State Command, Area I Command comprising Obalende, Lagos Island, Mainland, Bariga and Somolu Divisions in pursuance of the Corps’ vision to ensuring effective protection of critical national assets and infrastructure, which are very important to the socio – economic lifewire of the people and the country met with stakeholders on Tuesday, 31st March, 2026 in Obalende.
The protection of these Critical National Assets and Infrastructure include but are not limited to critical sectors such as oil and gas, transportation, power and energy, telecommunications, education, health and remain one of the core statutory mandates of the NSCDC .
The State Commandant, NSCDC, Lagos State Command, Mr Adedotun Keshinro affirmed that the community engagement by the Area I Command signalled the completion of the Area Command by Area Command engagement, which commenced on 20th January and ended March 31 to close the first quarter of the year 2026.
According to the Lagos State Commandant, who was represented by the Head of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure Department, Deputy Commandant of Corps Kolawole Agbetiloye, the “community engagements aims to bring the campaigns against vandalism, illegal dredging, illegal mining activities, illegal scrap dealings amongst others close the people at the grassroots.
The Lagos State Commandant charged the scrap dealers association members led by Comrade Ibrahim Musa, to regulate the activities of its members and ensure compliance in a bid to ensure effective protection of these assets and infrastructure .
He advised that the association should ensure that erring members are dealt with seriously and deregistered to avoid destroying their image.
The Baale of Orile Somolu, Chief Muftau Akinpelu who also spoke on behalf of traditional rulers at the event gave his nod to the initiative saying it was a right step in the right direction .
He assured NSCDC of traditional institutions support for the Commands within their domain to secure operational logistics from the Government and other cooperating stakeholders.
The representative of the National Orientation Agency, Mrs Oke Bukola assured the public of more sensitization programmes on protection of CNAI and other things.
The National Union of Road Transport Workers has also joined other stakeholders to give a nod for the NSCDC on its efforts to keep the general public abreast with the Corps’ mandates and activities that could benefit them against vandalism of assets and infrastructure in the state .
The representative of the Scrap Dealer Employers’ Association, Mr Ibrahim Musa also called on all stakeholders to join the Corps in fighting the menace of vandalism.
He said that they will continue to collaborate with the Corps and relevant agencies to punish erring members and eject them out of their system .
The Area Commander, Area I Command, Assistant Commandant of Corps Samuel Idoko covering Obalende, Lagos Island, Mainland, Bariga and Somolu Divisions was present with the Divisional Officers and their officers and men at the stakeholders meeting where they took turns to respond to the bugging questions raised by participants.
The event drew goodwill messages from the representatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps, NURTW, Community Development Associations and Committees, Traders among others
Written by Yemisi Dada