Civil Defense Day: NSCDC Seeks Support of Enugu Govt, Residents

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) has solicited for actionable information, logistic provision and office accommodation support from government and people of Enugu State.

The Commandant of NSCDC Enugu State Command, Dr Elijah Willie, made the plea while speaking to newsmen in Enugu on Saturday during the celebration of the World Civil Defense Day 2025 held at the NSCDC Command headquarters in Enugu.

Willie noted that timely and accurate actionable information from the members of the public was necessary for officers and men of the Corps to proactively nip crime in the bud.

According to him, the NSCDC guarantees confidentiality of every actionable information given and protect its source from harm and activities of those perpetrating crime being reported.

“We need assistance in terms of logistics in the state headquarters, our area commands and divisional headquarter offices; as we recently created additional 20 divisional headquarters and four area commands out of the previous existing ones.

“We are grateful to the state government for giving the state headquarters a brand new operational vehicle. However, we need more at our state headquarters, area command, and divisional headquarter offices dotting the state.

“Since, we have expanded divisional headquarters and area commands; the command is seeking for office accommodation for its officers and men to work as well as coordinate security plans and actions,” he said.

The commandant assured residents of Enugu State of improved security of lives and property, adding that the command would work in synergy with other security agencies to continue to keep the state safe for all.

Willie said, “We are serious with our fire arms, rule of law and human rights training of all our personnel to make them gallant, professional and work better in the civic space, while respecting constituted authorities and rights of members of the public.

“Within my 100 days in office; the command has helped to effectively end the Monday Sit-at-Home, mediated between farmers/herders clashes, created mining protection squad, effectively checked vandals of railway lines and slippers, and checked petroleum pipeline vandals.”

In a goodwill message, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu, said that the NSCDC had been a great pillar in fighting crime and criminality in the state.

“The cooperation and synergy the police have received from the civil defense has been encouraging and we solicit for more of such cooperation,” Uzuegbu said.

The Controller of Corrections in Enugu State, Mr Nicholas Obiakor, said that the NSCDC had been in the forefront of the security architecture of the state and supporting a secured state.

“We are proud of your achievements, cooperation and synergy so far and we are assuring the Corps of greater working relationship and synergy moving ahead,” Obiakor said.

Speaking, the Traditional Ruler of Ibegwa Nike Ancient Kingdom in the state, Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu, said that the Corps needed all support it could get from all in the state as “they are performing”.

Ugwu noted that most times, members of the public only see minor and isolated mistakes made by security personnel but fail to view the overall picture of harsh weather and sacrifice of putting their lives at stake for others.

“At the traditional rulers’ council, which I am their Public Relations Officer, we will do all collectively to support the Corps and make available all we can to ensure NSCDC operate seamlessly,” the traditional ruler assured.

During the event, there was awards presented to exemplary officers and the swearing in of the first executive of Civil Defense Officers Wives’ Association (CDOWA) as well as CDOWA making cash donations to widow and widower of fallen officers of the Corps recently.

The Chairperson of CDOWA in the state, Dr Josephine Willie, said that CDOWA was meant to give their husbands, currently serving, both physical, mental, spiritual and financial support at home.

“This is to ensure that our husbands and officers have peace and progress in the home front and relaxed mind to give their best in their service to the nation and humanity,” CDOWA Chairperson said.