The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has strongly condemned Monday’s protest held at its National Headquarters in Abuja, describing it as “anti-government” and a potential threat to public peace.
According to the Corps’ National Spokesman, CSC Afolabi Babawale, over 50 demonstrators stormed the NSCDC headquarters early Monday morning, chanting solidarity songs in support of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Babawale disclosed that the Commandant General of the Corps, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, had earlier placed all commands and formations nationwide on red alert ahead of the October 20 demonstrations. The directive, he said, was designed to safeguard critical national assets and infrastructure from possible vandalism or disruption by hoodlums who might hijack the protest.
“Our formations and commands have been instructed to upscale security around key installations. Intelligence, undercover, and uniformed officers have been deployed across the states and the FCT to ensure public safety, especially since the protest had already been barred by a court order,” Babawale stated.
He reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to its core mandate, which includes protecting critical infrastructure, managing disasters, regulating private security firms, and ensuring the safety of farmers to bolster national food security.
The spokesman further warned that the Corps would not condone vandalism, economic sabotage in the oil and mining sectors, or any form of assault on its personnel.
“While citizens have the constitutional right to peaceful assembly, such rights must be exercised within the limits of the law. When a court order prohibits such gatherings, responsible citizens are expected to act with caution and restraint,” Babawale cautioned.
He urged stakeholders to intensify collaboration with the Corps in safeguarding national assets, stressing that anyone found culpable in the protest would face the full weight of the law.
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