Civil Defense boss makes strong requests from Army Chief

The Commander General of the Nigerian Civil Defense and Security Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Audi, has  requested training and weapons support from the Nigerian Army to enhance the operational capabilities of NSCDC personnel.

Audi made the request when he visited the Army Chief of Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya, on Tuesday, in Abuja.

He said that NSCDC operatives required adequate training in order to help the military address the current asymmetric security challenges plaguing the country.

He said the Nigerian Army and Civil Defense had been working together for more than 50 years when providing support to the wounded during the civil war, adding that they had continued to build on the relationship.

According to him, the level of professionalism and training that the military administers is unique, as many NSCDC officers had the opportunity to undergo training.

“That training actually prepared some of us for this task and that’s why I’m here with my people to tap on the anointing.

“I am also here to familiarize myself and collaborate because we have realized that no service can do it alone, more especially that we are now facing a very dangerous conflict called asymmetric conflict,” he said.

According to him, this same conflict took care of some countries like Sri Lanka for about two or three decades and these guys unfortunately have also shown their ugly face in our country and are trying to rescue the country.

“They operate like guerrillas, they attack and then they go back to base and usually the attack is debilitating and devastating and we have seen it in the case of some other countries.

“What they did to nip this in the bud was create synergies, come together and work smart and then take the offensive strategy and I think we’re getting to that stage in Nigeria,” he said.

The Chief of the Army General Staff, Lieutenant General. Faruk Yahaya and the Commander General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Audi, during a courtesy visit to the COAS at the Army Headquarters on Tuesday 2/1/2022

Audi said that the NSCDC and the military just needed to strengthen the synergy that had existed between them over a period of time.

He promised that the corps would continue to learn from the military and urged the army chief to continue advising the NSCDC so that he could fulfill his mandate.

In response, the Army Chief of Staff assured the commanding general of the Nigerian Army’s continued support for the NSCDC in the areas of training and other support within his power.

Yahaya said that the Nigerian military and the NSCDC had maintained strong synergy in various operations and exercises in different parts of the country.

He said the military would take advantage of the broader reach and coverage of the NSCDC to strengthen synergy, adding that his vision was to ensure the military worked in tandem with other security agencies among other stakeholders.

He praised the high level of discipline and dedication of the NSCDC staff during the operations, urging them not to give in, but to continue on the path.