Desmond Agu, a retired Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has raised concerns about potential efforts to merge the NSCDC with the Nigeria Police Force. Agu believes that such a merger could exacerbate the security issues currently faced by the nation.
Having served as a commandant in six states before his retirement, Agu advised the Federal Government to reject any attempts by individuals pushing for the merger. According to him, those advocating for the merger lack an understanding of the specialized security role that the NSCDC plays.
Addressing the complex security challenges, Agu emphasized the need for coordinated and diverse approaches to effectively address them. He highlighted the significant contributions of the NSCDC in filling critical security gaps.
Pointing out the unique responsibilities of the NSCDC in safeguarding national infrastructures and supervising private security firms, Agu argued that merging the corps with the police could undermine these vital functions.
He referenced the Federal Government’s endorsement of the Orosonya Report, which acknowledged the special mandate of the NSCDC and recommended strengthening the corps as an independent entity instead of merging it with another security force.
Expressing his stance, the former NSCDC leader stated, “The notion of merging NSCDC with the Nigeria Police Force should be dismissed as it would only compound the security challenges in the country.”
“NSCDC was established under the Constitution as a specialized entity to tackle unique security issues that significantly impact the national economy. Its primary role is to safeguard critical infrastructures such as oil pipelines and electrical facilities,” he added.
“It is crucial to recognize that merging the NSCDC with the police force would blur these critical responsibilities and impede the ongoing national economic recovery. Those pushing for this merger should abandon the idea, as it would not benefit the country in any way,” Agu emphasized.
He further emphasized the NSCDC’s track record of professional service delivery, which has fostered public trust in its operations. Agu stressed the importance of providing enhanced funding to enable the corps to continue fulfilling its critical functions, rather than pursuing a merger.