Nigeria: Audi Declares New Era for Defence Corps

14 January 2026

Commandant-general (CG) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has declared that the organisation has moved beyond its old operational identity, insisting that the transformation underway across its commands nationwide is deliberate, visible, and irreversible.

In a statement signed by the corps' national public relations officer, Afolabi Babawale, the CG made the assertion during an inspection of the Obstacle Course Training Centre at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, as part of his 2026 Operational Tour.

Prof. Audi said the pace of infrastructural development, operational readiness, and innovation observed at the FCT command reflects the type of leadership and institutional mindset required to reposition the Corps to meet evolving security challenges.

Audi was quoted as saying, "that even a blind person knows that the Civil Defence of yesterday is not the same as today," underscoring the scale of reforms taking place within the service.

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He noted that leadership is measured by output rather than title, adding that the visible strides recorded at the FCT Command within a short period demonstrate discipline, commitment, and clarity of purpose.

"You cannot give what you do not have. What has been demonstrated here since the assumption of office shows clearly that this Command has much more to offer the Corps," he said.

Prof. Audi emphasised that the FCT Command occupies a strategic position as the operational base of the National Headquarters, stressing that standards within the nation's capital must reflect the highest levels of professionalism, innovation, and preparedness.

The Commandant General charged officers and men to remain firmly guided by the rules, ethics, and core values of the Corps, warning that indiscipline, indolence, and personal interest-driven conduct would not be tolerated under the emerging operational culture of the NSCDC.

He urged personnel to channel their energy toward initiatives that strengthen institutional integrity and can be replicated across other Commands, rather than actions that undermine public trust.

Prof. Audi, according to the statement also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the minister of Interior, Dr.. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for approving the recent promotion of personnel who had remained stagnant for years, describing the development as a morale booster that has reinforced the "Renewed Hope Agenda" within the service.

Looking ahead, the NSCDC boss disclosed that the National Headquarters is developing a Modern College of Arms Squad Service in Nasarawa State to enhance tactical capacity and standardize advanced training across the Corps. He added that the obstacle course developed by the FCT Command would serve as a reference model for similar training infrastructure nationwide.

"The tour concluded with a tactical demonstration by trained personnel at the obstacle course, showcasing the Command's physical conditioning, operational agility, and readiness to respond effectively to emerging security demands," the statement added.

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