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Your Safety, Security Guaranteed This Easter, NSCDC Tells Nigerians
Ahead of the Easter celebration, the Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has promised Nigerians of guaranteed safety and security.
A statement by the Corps’Director, Public Relations DCC Olusola Odumosu hinted that the CG has ordered massive deployment of personnel from State Commands, Zonal Commands and the National Headquarters to suspected flash points to conduct raids and beef up security in places of worship, recreational facilities, markets, shopping malls, parks and gardens, other densely populated areas and Critical National Assets and Infrastructure to guard against unwanted activities of criminals whose intention is to sabotage government’s efforts and cause mayhem as Christians commemorate the crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
According to the Commandant General, the action became necessary in view of security threats occasioned by the activities of bandits and criminals, adding that, it is imperative put in place new security measures to forestall any breach of peace at this time.
He re-affirmed that the Corps will not leave any stone unturned in making sure that its mandates are meticulously carried out to the satisfaction of all citizens, reteriating that, his personnel have been directed to be on red alert to look out for miscreants and mischief makers who would want to take advantage of the celebration to unleash terror attacks on innocent Nigerians and foreigners living in the country.
He continued that the activities of terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other similar groups in the country potend serious dangers for the country, hence, the need for more drastic strategic action in order to prevent the manifestation of various threats being unleashed by the enemies of the country.
The Commandant General charged the Zonal Commanders and State Commandants to ensure that the presence of the Corps is felt in every nooks and crannies of the nation and further directed full implementation of the Critical Infrastructure Protection Strategic Action Plan of the Corps in preventing a repeat of attack on humans and the nation’s critical national assets and infrastructure as experienced recently.
Dr Audi said the Easter period is one that calls for sober reflection and therefore called on all Nigerians especially christians to reflect on the sacrifices that Jesus Christ made on the cross of Calvary and emulate him by being each others keeper in order to preserve our collective patrimony and the sanctity of human life.
Dr Audi charged State Commandants to include the Private Security Operatives in the security arrangement and warned that “as the private security guards man shopping malls, churches, recreation centers and others places with high influx of people, make sure you sensitize them to be extra vigilant and ensure they conduct thorough search on every moving objects or items as well as all individuals going in and out of such places and promptly alert security post around for immediate intervention if need be” CG warned.
He warned that bandits and criminals are on the prowl looking for where to cause mayhem and only a porous security arrangement would allow them to infiltrate any premises or environment to perpetrate their evil acts.
He called for support from members of the religious and traditional institutions, the local communities and members of the public, tasking them to report any suspicious movement or activities of individuals, groups or persons to the nearest security post.
The Commandant General also charged parents and guardians to be mindful of their wards and engage them positively so they do not fall prey and be used as tools in the hands of criminals.
Personnel from the Intelligence units, Agro Rangers, Armed Squad, Special Forces, Rapid Response Squad, Special Female Squad, SWAT, K9, Counter Terrorism Units and the Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Explosive unit CBRNE) have been deployed to ensure adequate security.
The CG felicitates with all Christian faithfuls on the Easter celebration, assuring that the NSCDC in synergy with other security agencies will work tirelessly towards a hitch-free celebration.
Jigawa State governor, Umar Namadi, has cautioned against calls for self-defence from mauruding bandits and killer herders, warning that such a move could plunge the country into anarchy.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Governor Namadi responded to recent comments by retired General Theophilus Danjuma, who urged Nigerians to defend themselves against bandits and armed attackers, particularly in Benue and Plateau states.
General Danjuma, a former Minister of Defence, had argued that reliance on the government for protection was no longer tenable given the spate of violence and killings in the country.
“It is now very clear that the government alone cannot protect us. We must stand up and defend ourselves, our families, and our lands before these criminals overrun the entire country,” Danjuma said during a public event in Takum, Taraba State, on Saturday.
But Governor Namadi rejected that approach, describing it as a dangerous path.
“He (T.Y. Danjuma) is a very senior security person, and his words deserve respect and analysis,” Namadi said. “But I think if you say citizens should be allowed to defend themselves, you’re causing anarchy. I don’t think we’ve reached that level yet.”
He argued that rather than encourage armed self-defence, the government at all levels must continue to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.
“The government is doing its best in terms of security arrangements. If you allow the people to defend themselves, that means you are encouraging a crisis between farmers and herders,” the governor warned.
Namadi cited his administration’s approach to resolving the long-standing farmer-herder clashes in Jigawa State as a better alternative. According to him, when he assumed office, he prioritised non-violent conflict resolution strategies.
“When we came in, we decided to employ a lot of strategies and tactics, including dialogue,” he said. “We engaged traditional rulers, as well as representatives of both farmers and herders. We sat down, reached a consensus, and established standing committees to reconcile all parties.”
He added that these efforts helped halt a decades-long conflict:
“The people now understand that the 25 years spent fighting and killing each other were not worth it. Today, they are able to work, interact, and live together in peace.”
Governor Namadi further noted that Jigawa is currently not among the states facing severe threats such as insurgency or mass killings by bandits. Instead, the primary challenge had been farmer-herder clashes, which his administration has successfully curtailed.
“We thank God that Jigawa State is not affected by insurgency or insecurity for no. The major issue we are dealing with is the herders-farmers clash, and we are addressing it decisively,” he said.
Despite the worsening security in other parts of the country, Governor Namadi insisted that self-defence is not a viable solution and could deepen the crisis:
“So, I think the government is doing its best, both at the federal and state levels. The issue of asking people to defend themselves — I think we have not reached that level yet.
Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former Special Adviser on Political Matters to President Bola Tinubu, has revealed that the North will, in the next six months, take a stand on who to support for the presidency in 2027.
He boasted that no politician can win the presidency in 2027 without the support of the region.
In a video interview he granted in Hausa language, Baba-Ahmed, who appeared alongside a former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Usman Yusuf, lamented the state of the nation and urged northerners to resist divisive and deceptive politicians ahead of the next general elections.
He said: “In the next six months, the North will decide where it stands. If the rest of the country wants to join us, fine. If not, we will go our own way. One thing is clear: nobody can become president of Nigeria without northern support.
“We want a government that understands our problems and can address them. After Buhari’s eight years, we became wiser. Now, we are in another government, and we are still crying. Is crying all we know how to do?” Baba-Ahmed asked.
According to the former presidential aide, the North has suffered greatly during the Boko Haram insurgency, which affected all groups, Muslims, Christians, Fulani, Baju, and others, highlighting the need for unity.
“Before Buhari became president, Boko Haram was bombing mosques, churches, Abuja, and Lagos. That was a time Northerners had to unite. Today, no politician can just show up and expect Northerners to fall in line. Who are you?” he questioned.
He therefore warned against further marginalization of the North, noting that continued disregard for the region would have consequences.
“If they plan to rig the election, they should be careful. It won’t be good for Nigeria. The North is watching, elders, masses, and interest groups will soon say “enough is enough ‘. The injustice and sidelining must stop.
Baba-Ahmed urged the northern region to look beyond identity politics, stressing that competence and integrity should guide voter decisions.
“We are tired of being deceived into voting based on religion or ethnicity. That era is over. We just want a right leader, we just want someone who will solve our problems,” he said.
Telecommunications giant, Globacom, has charged Christians to embrace the virtues that Christ preached as the 2025 Easter celebrations hold this weekend.
While congratulating Christians in Nigeria in a goodwill message released from its Lagos Head Office on Thursday, Globacom admonished them to imbibe the noble qualities of Jesus Christ.
According to Glo, “Peace, love and sacrifice are the central message of Easter. Christ offered himself in atonement for the sins of the world and he lived a life which made Him an eternal symbol of peace and goodwill for mankind”
Globacom charged all Nigerians to espouse the lessons of selflessness, a necessary ingredient in the growth and development of every society and called on all Nigerians to join hands to make Nigeria a better place for all.
The company praised their perseverance through the 40-day Lenten period which comes before Easter as it emphasized the ideals of selflessness, love and peace among all as a way of demonstrating the exemplary life of Jesus Christ.
Easter comes yearly at the end of the Lenten season of fasting and prayer considered as a ritual of purification for the Christian faithful. It also precedes the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ on Good Friday and His eventual resurrection on Easter Sunday.
The company assured its customers of unhindered voice, data and Short Messaging Service (SMS) during and after the Easter celebrations, while urging them to avail themselves of the various data and voice offerings on the network.
