A civil society organisation, Save Nigeria Movement (SNM), has described the call by a representative of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, for the merger of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) as counterproductive.
Recall that the IGP made the call at a National Dialogue for strengthening security and the role of the NPF, organised by the House of Representatives in Abuja with the theme ‘Pathways to Peace: Reimagining Policing in Nigeria’.
The IGP, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Ben Okoro, said that the NSCDC and the FRSC were duplications of the Police Force.
A statement signed by Rev. Solomon Semaka, the Convener, Save Nigeria Movement, berated the IGP’s comment, saying the Nigerian Police Force was in dire need of reforms.
According to the release, “We are duty bound to express our strong disapproval and outright rejection of the ill-motivated and ill-timed call for the merger of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). While it’ll be inimical to national security to merge those agencies, we are particularly alarmed by the very thought of merging the NSCDC with the Police and view this suggestion as an attempt to undermine the extraordinary work the NSCDC is doing.
“It is also strange that an already overwhelmed Nigerian Police Force (NPF) would be looking for more duties.”
While opposing the unpopular view of the IGP, the rights group praised famous Nigerian leaders including former President Goodluck Jonathan for affirming their support for the NSCDC and calling for efforts to strengthen it in line with the Oronsanye Report towards better and efficient service delivery.
“It is rather disheartening that despite the clear position of the famous Orosanye Report which called for the strengthening of the NSCDC to enable it perform it’s mandate creditably, the IGP regrettably holds a contrary view,” he added.
The CSO enumerated various achievements of the NSCDC, which have greatly enhanced the security and economic well-being of the country.
“The NSCDC has been over performing in recent times. Only few weeks ago, the NSCDC destroyed over 10 illegal refineries in the country. This is clearly in line with the Mr. President’s economic recovery plan and the need to meet Nigeria’s OPEC quota as well as the desire for Mr President to push up oil production to two million barrels per day.
“Again, the NSCDC has responded to the incidences illegal mining by introducing the Mines Marshals to curb illegal mining and boost revenues. This is unprecedented and worthy of commendations.
“Nigerians and indeed the entire Civil Society community is unanimous in acknowledging the enormous contributions of the NSCDC in all aspects of national life. They have distinguished themselves in the area of counterterrorism, prevention of vandalism, combating crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region, providing and sharing intelligence towards resolving complex cases of kidnapping and ransom taking by breaching the logistics chain of kidnappers and bandits in country.”
The CSO, however, canvassed for support for the NSCDC including increased funding and a pledge to always support the initiatives and programmes of the Corps by mobilising other civil society organisations to oppose any and all clandestine efforts aimed at undermining the NSCDC.