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Group Outline Audi’s Trajectory of Achievements and Challenges at NSCDC
A Civil Society, Non- Governmental Organisation(NGO), foremost anti-corruption, pro- democracy and pressure group, the Guild of Civil Societies and Media Executives for Equity, Justice and Transparency in Nigeria (GOCMEJ), has applauded the transformation and performance indices engineered by the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Abubakar Ahmed Audi.
The CSO notes the internal processes for optimal performances; high morale of staff; enhanced surveillance on critical assets; prompt payment of allowances; discipline, and the good chain of command structure within the hierarchy of leadership. It also notes the transparency in procurement processes, including the bold initiatives and innovations that have bolstered the NSCDC into a 21st century paramilitary organisation.
The CSO’s Country Representative, President and Senior Research Fellow, Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele, made the commendation in Lagos recently, when he attended a strategic round-table Town Hall with other leaders in South-west zone, according to a press statement he personally signed.
The statement alluded to the salient milestones and achievements of the present leadership of the NSCDC in the delivery of good corporate governance and professionalism to drive the changes that are glaring.
According to Aigbegbele, never before have those improvements been seen in the history of the Agency despite the enormous challenges confronting it
The statement emphasises that issues such as the reduction of the incessant herders and farmers’ clashes, cattle rustling, the deployment of undercover officers to schools, the reduction of criminal vandals on national assets across the country and the robust inter-agency relationships, cooperation and partnerships with sister agencies such as the Navy, Army, Customs, Immigration, NNPC, etc, most of which have become a thing of the past.
In furtherance of the present efforts, the continued fight against cyber-crimes, child abuse, flushing out of illegal private guard companies, the arrest of smugglers, vandals and pipeline, oil thieves in the Niger Delta region has become a herculean task that must be nipped in the bud. And the present management is working assiduously round the clock to deal decisively with these challenges once and for all.
According to the statement, Dr. Audi has given marching orders to the State Commandants and also read riot acts to them reminding them that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has zero-tolerance for corruption and theft and as such directed the commandants to do all they can in line with the presidential order to rid the nation’s oil sector of economic saboteurs, vandals on critical national assets, oil thieves, and other criminal activities inimical to the growth of the sector and Nigeria at large.
The statement also emphasised the efforts and challenges of the mining marshals and agro- rangers’ initiatives to boost food security in order to make food available and allow farmers to go about their businesses in their respective farmlands with the full support of the rangers.
GOCMEJ, of course, agrees that the mining sector is a vital component of the economy as the mining marshals are doing everything within their power to curb the excesses of illegal miners across the length and breadth of the country which pose a threat to national security.
Accordingly, the Corps has been very formidable in dislodging illegal miners by conducting surveillance 24/7 hours and arresting illegality and hence promoting economic growth and saving the country massive revenue loss.
The creation of the Special Mining Marshals by the Audi-led management is indeed a major boost to the fight against illegal miners in the country and has been applauded by well-meaning Nigerians for their selfless efforts in combating the menace head-on which has reduced their activities thereby increasing the revenue base of the country and as well as, improving investors’ confidence in the mineral sector.
Also, with the establishment of the Special Female Squad (SFS) under the present leadership, targeted at boosting the fight against insecurity and kidnapping in our schools, the location of the Squad in all the Commands across the country has enhanced the safe school response coordination and the protection of schools in remote areas and communities, which is done in collaboration with sister agencies as part of the Safe School Initiative (SSI).
In view of the foregoing, GOCMEJ hereby calls on the Federal Government to adequately fund these initiatives through training and retraining of officers, the building and enhancement of capacity development of the Agro- rangers, Mining Marshals and Special Female Squad, so as to boost their productivity, self-esteem and manpower development for the collective good of all. Therefore, GOCMEJ further advocates for a renewed vigour as it urges the increment of the national budget allocations to the NSCDC, in view of the pivotal role it plays in the protection of critical national assets in addition to reducing kidnapping in schools. If these initiatives are properly funded, it will give the NSCDC the impetus to do more for the nation and its work force.
GOCMEJ reiterates that it is encouraged by the public procurement process, contract approvals and payments, the espirit-de-corps of the NSCDC officers and men, including the promotion of officers never before seen in its annals of history which figures stood at about 21,385 personnel to new ranks, the commissioning of fleets of operational vehicles to enhance patrol and surveillance around critical national assets is also a welcome development.
The Guild again applauds the transformation presently on-going and change narrative including strategic alliances with various ivory towers across the country to upgrade the service institutions to meet with what is attainable globally.
The release will, accordingly, amply captures that henceforth “GOCMEJ will continue to support the corps in its efforts to tackle bandits, herders, vandals, illegal miners and promote a safe and secured environment for all”.
The organisation further adds that “the efforts of the NSCDC in playing critical role in securing the mining sector, school environment from kidnappers and protection of farmlands and agro- allied investments are in line with the vision of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s Renew Hope Agenda, which is aimed at diversifying the economy, promoting growth and securing the nation for investors”.
GOCMEJ, therefore, has no hesitation in passing a Vote of Confidence on the Dr. Abubakar Audi- led management and calls on the international community and well-meaning Nigerians to continually support the proactive and change leadership to enable it further its commitment to securing the nation, safeguarding our schools and deliver its mandate to Nigerians.
The Federal Government has emphasized that achieving the **Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)** requires their full integration into national and sub-national development plans rather than treating them as isolated initiatives.
The **Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs (SSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire**, made this call during the **North-East Regional Consultation in Gombe**, part of Nigeria’s **2025 Voluntary National Review (VNR)** preparations for the **High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York this July**. Represented by **Dr. Bala Yunusa, Senior Technical Adviser**, she explained that the **United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)** established the HLPF as a global review mechanism for the 2030 Agenda. Nigeria, now conducting its third VNR, is engaging stakeholders across all six geopolitical zones to assess progress, challenges, and future opportunities.
A statement from her **Special Assistant on Media and Strategic Communication, Desmond Utomwen**, highlighted the urgent need to accelerate SDG progress. Citing the **2024 UN Sustainable Development Goals Report**, she revealed that only 17% of SDG targets are on track, nearly 50% show minimal or moderate progress, and over one-third have stalled or regressed. She attributed Nigeria’s slow SDG progress to dwindling financial resources, the COVID-19 pandemic, and persistent insecurity.
Orelope-Adefulire stressed the importance of **robust Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting (MER) mechanisms**, including SDG Progress Reports and the VNR, to track achievements and challenges. She called for stronger collaboration among public and private sectors, the UN Development System, donor agencies, academia, and civil society to ensure no one is left behind.
Referring to the **“Pact for the Future”** adopted during the **79th UN General Assembly**, she reaffirmed world leaders’ commitment to bold and transformative actions for SDG acceleration. She also echoed **UN Secretary-General António Guterres’** call for massive investments and strategic partnerships to drive key transitions in food security, energy, and digital connectivity.
She commended **Nigeria’s Multi-Stakeholder Core Working Group for the 2025 VNR**, acknowledging the contributions of members from government agencies, the UN Development System, private sector groups, civil society organizations, and academia.
The **North-East Regional Consultation** brought together 150 participants from six states, focusing discussions on institutional frameworks for SDG implementation, progress across the 17 SDGs, and challenges and lessons learned.
**Gombe State SDGs Focal Person, Engr. Sulaiman Turaki**, described the event as a critical dialogue shaping Nigeria’s next VNR. He urged stakeholders to actively contribute, ensuring the review accurately reflects progress, challenges, and opportunities while ensuring no one is left behind in the country’s development efforts.
Prominent human rights lawyer, Barrister Christopher Chidera, has raised concerns over the Nigerian government’s plan to prosecute Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), under the repealed Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013. He described the move as legally unsustainable and urged the administration of President Bola Tinubu to reconsider.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Chidera argued that since the 2013 Act has been revoked, it cannot serve as a legal basis for Kanu’s trial.
“Any attempt to prosecute the IPOB leader under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013 is legally untenable and procedurally flawed,” he stated.
He warned that continuing with the case under an obsolete law could undermine Nigeria’s justice system and attract international criticism.
Chidera further urged the government to negotiate with Kanu before March 20, 2025, to avoid exposing systemic flaws in the judiciary.
“The section of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013 on which the prosecution relies is no longer an active law in Nigeria. The jurisdiction to prosecute Kanu under this Act ceased with its repeal. Continuing with this prosecution would draw scrutiny and criticism both domestically and internationally,” he added.
With Kanu set to represent himself in court on March 21, 2025, legal analysts predict heightened scrutiny of the case.
“Reports that Mazi Kanu will assume his own defence signal a significant shift. His self-representation may reveal inconsistencies and vulnerabilities within Nigeria’s judicial system,” Chidera noted.
Describing the trial as a critical test for Nigeria’s judiciary, Chidera called on Tinubu’s government to seek a diplomatic resolution before the March 20 deadline.
“Political dissent cannot be extinguished by force, and the Biafran struggle will not be subdued by crackdowns or detention without trial,” he emphasised.
As the court date approaches, all eyes remain on how the government will handle the high-stakes legal battle, with potential implications for Nigeria’s political and judicial credibility.
ey stakeholders within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State have raised serious allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, state party chairman Stephen Ntukekpo, and Minister of Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo. The group claims that these leaders have sold out the party to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in return for the latter’s support for Akpabio’s bid for a third term as Senate President in 2027.
The accusations were made public through an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, titled “The Worrisome State of the APC in Akwa Ibom State: A Call for Your Intervention”. The letter was signed by Elder Okokon James, Peter Ibanga, and Chief Victor Affiah, who represent the Uyo, Eket, and Ikot Ekpene Senatorial districts, respectively.
In the letter, the APC stakeholders express their frustration with the actions of the party’s leadership in the state, stating that Ntukekpo and Ekpo have openly claimed to be acting on Akpabio’s orders to deliberately weaken the party in Akwa Ibom. According to the group, this was done to facilitate an easy victory for the PDP in the upcoming 2027 elections. They argue that this arrangement is part of a deal to secure support for Akpabio’s third-term Senate ambitions.
The group warns that if urgent intervention is not taken to revitalize the APC in the state, party members will abandon the party and join a coalition of opposition forces, undermining President Tinubu’s prospects in his second term campaign. They allege that the APC in the state has been effectively dismantled by its own leaders, leaving little support for Tinubu when he visits next year.
“This is a betrayal of trust,” the stakeholders write, accusing Akpabio and Ekpo of undermining the party that helped propel Akpabio to the Senate Presidency. They further allege that if the party’s situation worsens, the responsibility will fall squarely on the shoulders of Akpabio and Ekpo.
The letter also criticizes the inaction of Governor Umo Eno and his team, suggesting that while the Governor is strengthening his political base, APC leaders in the state are failing to make any significant moves to bolster the party.
In response, the Senate President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, dismissed the allegations, calling them “spurious and mischievous.” Eyiboh defended Akpabio’s efforts, pointing to the numerous appointments the Senate President has secured for party members, which he argues are evidence of his commitment to strengthening the party.
Eyiboh further labeled the signatories of the letter as “non-existent” and stated that the claims were baseless and intended to stir unnecessary controversy.
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