The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has received a tall order to tackle the issue of insecurity in Nigeria.

The Minister of Interior, Abah Moro gave the charge while speaking at the Ministerial summit 2013 organised by the NSCDC management at the Civil Defence Academy on Wednesday.

"There is no doubt that the activities of arm bandits or terrorist groups and insurgence in this country have had very negative impact on lives and properties of Nigerians and we do know that Nigerians expect that you, more than anybody, should provide the safe haven that they required to live their lives.

"It's a big challenge, therefore, for you to guarantee the lives and properties of Nigerians especially when these events continue to recur which goes to dent all the efforts that you have made."

Moro stressed that "Nigerians, local and foreign investors in Nigeria expect no less from you than a complete elimination of conflict in the country."

He maintained that they should jettison the old way of reacting and mitigating against the consequences of conflicts, emphasising that it was no longer satisfactory to Nigerians.

"Nigerians expect that you are more proactive and must prevent, rather than manage the consequences of conflicts."

The Minister charged them to collaborate with other security agencies, private guard companies and all other security conscious Nigerians to ensure that this year 2013 provides an end to insurgency in Nigeria.

While commenting on the Summit, Moro said the meeting was an auspicious one even as Nigerians continue to worry about the internal security of the country with its attendance damaging consequences on the socio-economic life of this country.

Equal to the task

The Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr. Ade Abolurin said, in his opening speech that the meeting was targeted at bringing all commandants and top officers in the country together to review the activities of the Corps last year and strategise for the new year.

"We are here to rub mind with a view to fashion out a way to do more in the year 2013, to show that the Ministry of Interior, through the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps can make the country secured"

He thanked the Minister for his efforts towards making the NSCDC better in the previous year most especially in the area of placement.

Abolurin promised to work more in curbing corruption and oil theft in particular, in the new year.