The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has assured residents of the Federal Capital Territory of continued deployment of its personnel to safeguard lives, property and critical infrastructure.
The FCT Commandant of the corps, Olusola Odumosu, gave the assurance on Friday in Abuja during activities marking the International Workers’ Day.
According to a statement signed by the command’s spokesperson, Monica Ojobi, Odumosu said effective security requires collaboration among stakeholders and adequate manpower.
He highlighted the role of Private Guard Companies (PGCs) in supporting internal security, noting that the command has sustained training and monitoring of operators to improve service delivery.
“It is part of our mandate to train, monitor, supervise and regulate the PGCs, so training is sacrosanct and we do that quarterly,” Odumosu said.
“We train them in batches, making sure that all private security companies in the FCT are better trained and well prepared to complement the efforts of other security agencies.”
He added that the training covers guards, operational managers and chief executive officers, with modules including intelligence gathering, self-defence, report writing and operational strategies.
The commandant, however, expressed concern over operational challenges, including shortages of patrol vehicles, motorcycles and security gadgets, as well as health-related constraints affecting personnel.
“We are appealing for more vehicles and motorcycles for patrols to enable us to carry out more regular and effective surveillance of the city centre and its suburbs,” he said.
Odumosu noted that the vast nature of the FCT poses mobility challenges often exploited by criminal elements.
“The same vehicle you are using to patrol the central area is the same one you will take to Airport Road and probably the same one that will go to the Kuje area,” he said.
He also called for improved communication infrastructure, especially reliable radio systems, to support operations in areas with poor network coverage.
“There are some places we go during surveillance where we need backup but cannot communicate,” he added.
Odumosu commended officers and men of the command for their dedication and professionalism, pledging continued support for their welfare and capacity development.
The NSCDC plays a key role in protecting lives and infrastructure nationwide, working alongside other security agencies and licensed private guard companies, particularly in the FCT where security demands are high due to its status as the nation’s capital.