Arming The Defenders

With the permission to bear and use firearms finally secured, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, enters a new phase in its operations, even as it joins others to mark the International Civil Defence Week

By Michael Mukwuzi

For so long, it was exposed to the slings and arrows of an outrageous fortune, earning the derogatory sobriquet guguru defence in the bargain. Then the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, was treated as an idle band of volunteer ex-service men and expired members of the once revered Boy Scouts bent on seeking relevance.

But all that seems changed now, as the federal government accords the NSCDC more recognition and the right to bear arms. Even before the activation of the new government policy, respect and endorsements have been streaming the way of the Corps from home and abroad. Impressed by the conduct of the corps members, the Israeli government, late last year, sponsored and facilitated a special training in Counter-Terrorism for 20 select officers. The exercise, which was designed to improve and build the operational capacity of NSCDC members, was conducted in collaboration with the federal government. Before then, some legal officers attached to the Corps had received special training in Holland and Uganda. At home, the stream of training was strengthened with workshops organised by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, National Intelligence Agency and State Security Service.

The good news for the NSCDC was further sustained with reports of breakthroughs in its operations across the country. Its crusade to stamp out pipeline vandalism, illegal oil bunkering, theft of power cables and NITEL transmission cables was gaining currency by the day. According to records, the Corps arrested over 144 tankers and 500 suspects in 2007. Listed as dark spots for the nefarious activities were states like Delta, Rivers, Ogun, Ondo, Lagos and Abia.

Interestingly, whereas Abolurin and his men are basking in the glory of their recent successes, there is growing disquiet in the police and among some security experts on the propriety of allowing the body to bear arms. Also of grave concern to the police is the decision by the federal government to permit the Corps to arrest, detain, investigate and prosecute offenders without recourse to the police.  Under the NSCDC Amendment Act 2007, Act No. 6, the body is vested with the power to “arrest with or without a warrant, detain, investigate and institute legal proceedings by or in the name of the Attorney-General of the Federation in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria against any person who is reasonably suspected to have committed any offence…” To exercise this function effectively, the Act also grants the body the power to “maintain an armed squad which shall be entitled to bear arms and deployed by the office of the Commandant-General.” The incumbent Commandant- General is Dr. Ade Abolurin.

Conversely, many critics contend that granting it the permission to use arms will bring back the old story of accidental discharge as they are not well trained in the handling arms.

Also aligning himself with Melaye is Adewole Ajakaiye, a retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police. “I don’t know why the Civil Defence is being run as a parallel organ to the police. It is a mystery to me. I believe police should be more strengthened to carry out its duties well. I cannot support their (Corps members) being armed,” Ajakaiye argued. He contended that having too many armed organisations would have an adverse effect on the country in terms of human relations.

However, Wole Oke, Chairman of the House Committee On Defence saw the issue from an entirely different prism. Arguing that the arming of the Civil Defence Corps would enhance security in the country, Oke vowed that any attempt to stop the move in the National Assembly would not see the light of day. “It is important. We need it. The main issue is training and capability. Are they trained properly to handle guns? If they are, why not? If they can be trained properly, we need it for security in this country. I don’t see anything wrong about that,” he declared.

Oke maintained that the Corps had begun the process of selecting and training persons for the proposed “armed squad” in order to avoid cases of accidental discharge or misuse of firearms.

The legislator got support from Frank Odita, a retired Commissioner of Police. “There should be no objection provided there are no abuses. They should be armed if it is government’s policy and I see no wrong in arming them. If their duties attract risks, why not arm them? They should be armed, they are guarding our pipelines, they must be armed to be able to take up certain aspects of police duties. Since the police is busy fighting robbery and investigating cases, the Civil Defence should be empowered with armament to take up other aspects that the police have not been able to cover,” he concluded.

On his part, Abolurin, Corps Commandant, insists that it is in the interest of the nation and the NSCDC for the body to maintain an armed squad. “Let us encourage government and core patriotic people to assist the Corps. If private security outfits are clamouring to carry arms how much more an agency of government saddled with the responsiblity of facing criminals. There is need for us to protect those who are protecting our lives and property,’’ he argued.

Established as a full fledged para-military outfit of government in June 2003 by Act No.2, the NSCDC was, prior to that date, a voluntary organisation. The Corps was established in 1967 as Lagos Civil Defence Committee primarily for the purpose of guiding and informing residents on how to avoid bomb blast during the civil war. Today, the NSCDC is saddled with a handful of responsibilities which include the supervision and monitoring of the activities of all private guard companies, rescuing and evacuating victims during  natural or man-made emergencies and maintenance of peace and order among the populace. This week the NSCDC wiill join its counterparts in the rest of the globe to celebrate the International Civil Defence Week. Countries with strong civil defence culture include: Isreal, China, Pakistan, Algeria, Cameroun, Egypt, South Africa, Gemany and a host of others.

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