The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has reinforced the deployment of personnel, to protect the nation’s critical infrastructure and assets.
NSCDC’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Emmanuel Okeh, made this known in a statement he issued on Wednesday in Abuja.
Okeh stated that the Corps Commandant General (CG), Mr Abdullahi Gana, declared the emergency deployment, following the outcome of the #EndSARS protests in the country.
Gana said that the protests had taken a dangerous turn; so, it was important to give the directive with immediate effect.
“I have directed all state commandants to immediately reinforce deployment of personnel to all strategic critical infrastructure and national assets, located in their various states,” he said.
The CG stated that he had charged all the state commandants to take the assignment of deployment seriously, by issuing a standing order to immediately beef up security around all government assets in their respective states.
“This is through the deployment of more men to man these infrastructure and assets, and provide 24 hours security and surveillance, to prevent destruction and sabotage.
“This is to forestall any act of vandalism, arson or destruction of these critical assets by miscreants, who may capitalise on the ongoing protests in most parts of the country to perpetrate their sinister motives.
“This must not be allowed to happen because it is not in the interest of anybody at all, to destroy our collective wealth.
“The turn of event has called for more vigilance around critical national assets and infrastructure, which has become endangered species at this critical period.
“Reports at his disposal exposes some criminals in the guise of protesters, planning to attack some major government assets in some parts of the country.”
Gana reminded the corps’ personnel to exercise high-level professionalism and restraints, as they work alongside other security agencies in restoring peace in the country.
He advised them to remain civil in dealing with the public and warned strongly against accidental discharge, or forceful suppression of peaceful protesters.
Gana further appealed to citizens, especially the youths, to remain law-abiding in their demands for reform in some sectors of the country.
The NSCDC chief advised them to go about their legitimate plea without taking the law into their hands.
“Youths give peace a chance and toe the path of dialogue to resolve this matter, as there is no better time than now, to stand down on the protests especially now that it has been hijacked.”
He further reassured the general public of their safety and security, as they go about their legitimate businesses.
The corps’ boss urged Nigerians to provide information on any suspicious movement within their vicinity to the NSCDC.
