The leadership of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has expressed its displeasure over the petition allegedly filed by the Commander of the Mining Marshal, ACC Attah John Onoja, before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions concerning an alleged attack and shooting of its mining marshals by some police officers, including the alleged obstruction of its efforts to prosecute illegal miners arrested in Nasarawa State.
Recall that the commander of the Mining Marshal, ACC Attah John Onoja, had filed a petition against the Nigeria Police Force before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions over illegal mining by the police.
However, CSC Afolabi Babawale, National Public Relations Officer, NSCDC National Headquarters, Abuja, stated that the Commandant General, CG, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, was displeased by the development, noting that the commander of the Mining Marshal acted outside his purview by filing the petition without the authorisation of the management.
The statement noted that the corps’ management therefore dissociates itself from the petition, and the officer has been directed to immediately withdraw the said petition to allow for a smooth and amicable resolution of the issues raised, in the spirit of the robust inter-agency relationship between the Nigeria Police and the corps, as well as the harmonious working relationship between the Inspector General of Police, IGP, and the CG.
According to the statement, the office of the IGP has been very supportive of the corps’ operations by encouraging the police to work closely with the corps and other services to enhance national security and the realisation of Mr President’s Renewed Hope agenda.
It added that while management is already considering appropriate measures to take regarding the officer, the Commandant General reiterated his determination to continue collaborating effectively and synergising with the Nigeria Police in a resolute commitment to stamping out crime and criminality to make Nigeria safer and more secure.
“I have spoken to the IGP on the matter and sincerely apologise for the embarrassment that the petition might have caused,” NSCDC Commandant General Audi stated.
