…Seeks Tougher Penalties for Vandals, Improved Welfare for Personnel
For three months, officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), FCT Command, tracked a syndicate specialised in excavating and selling stolen government armoured cables worth hundreds of millions of naira. The operation led to the recovery of compressed cables linked to a network involving vandals and foreign collaborators.
In this interview with Justina SIMON of THE WHISTLER, the FCT NSCDC Commandant Dr. Olusola Odumosu, explained how the syndicate was uncovered and why scrap markets remain a major driver of infrastructure vandalism. He also spoke on what the NSCDC is doing to combat human trafficking, illegal mining and other emerging security threats across the Federal Capital Territory. Excerpt…
When You Assumed Office As FCT Commandant, What Security Threat Did You Find More Serious Than You Had Expected?
Let me begin by saying that the narrative that the FCT is secure is not just a perception; it is the reality. This is because the NSCDC works closely with other security agencies, including the Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the military.
We have a strong synergy, and this collaboration has strengthened our operations to ensure the safety of lives and property, particularly the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure. As the lead agency responsible for safeguarding these assets, I can confidently say that incidents of infrastructure vandalism have reduced drastically.
What surprised me, however, was not necessarily the security situation itself but the level of criminality and the unpatriotic attitude displayed by some Nigerians. People often accuse the government of not doing enough, but we also need to hold ourselves accountable.
For example, we carried out an intelligence-led operation within the FCT that lasted almost three months before we were able to uncover a syndicate involved in vandalising government cables and those receiving the stolen items.
The company specialised in buying vandalised armoured cables. These are very expensive public assets that criminals excavate, cut, and sell. Our investigation revealed that some Nigerians were working with foreign collaborators to receive the stolen cables.
After months of surveillance, my officers carried out a coordinated operation on the company. We recovered a huge quantity of compressed armoured cables valued at hundreds of millions of naira.
That operation showed the extent of the problem. It does not mean the government is not working. Rather, there are individuals who sponsor vandals, purchase the stolen materials, compress them, and, in some cases, export them abroad, where they are melted for reuse.
For me, that was shocking because public infrastructure belongs to all Nigerians. While the government and security agencies are making efforts to provide and protect these facilities, some people deliberately destroy them for personal gain, ultimately undermining national development.
The FCT Is Undergoing Infrastructure Development. What’s The NSCDC Doing To Safeguard These Public Assets?
The FCT is witnessing unprecedented infrastructure development. Anyone who has not visited Abuja in the last three or four years could easily lose their way because of the level of transformation taking place.
The Honourable Minister of the FCT is widely recognised for driving infrastructure development across the territory. Roads, bridges, and other public facilities are springing up in virtually every part of the FCT.
Our responsibility is to ensure that all these facilities are adequately protected. Through our Critical National Assets and Infrastructure Protection Department, we maintain 24-hour patrols across vulnerable locations.
Wherever there is infrastructure requiring protection, our personnel are deployed to secure it, monitor activities, and arrest anyone attempting to vandalise government property.
What Reforms Are Needed To Curb Infrastructure Vandalism?
Personally, I believe that if we successfully address the activities of scrap dealers, we would solve about 70 per cent of the challenges associated with infrastructure vandalism.
That conviction informed the proposal I presented during one of the FCT Security Council meetings last year. I recommended that scrap markets should either be properly regulated or, where necessary, shut down completely.
I do not believe the problem can be solved without stricter regulation.
During our investigations, we discovered that many of the vandals we arrested sold stolen government property directly to scrap dealers. Whether the items were cables, manhole covers, or other public infrastructure, we consistently traced them back to scrap markets.
This clearly indicates that these markets serve as the receiving point for vandalised government property. Criminals know they have a ready market where they can quickly dispose of stolen items whenever they need money.
I am pleased that the Honourable Minister accepted our recommendation and directed security agencies to regulate scrap markets across the FCT.
Following that directive, we profiled operators across the territory, engaged market leaders, and introduced stricter operational guidelines. We also warned that any market found dealing in vandalised government property would be shut down.
Since those measures were introduced, we have recorded noticeable improvement in the protection of public infrastructure. Scavengers were also prohibited from operating within the city centre and restricted to designated dump sites.
However, regulation alone is not enough. We also need tougher penalties for convicted vandals.
Many of the sentences currently handed down by the courts are discouraging for security personnel. Some offenders are fined as little as N2,000, N3,000, or N5,000, while others are simply ordered to perform community service before returning to the streets.
Such penalties are not sufficient to deter criminal activities. There is a need for stricter punishment if we truly want to reduce vandalism.
Why Has The FCT Becoming Attractive To Human Trafficking Syndicates?
We have dismantled a number of human trafficking networks operating within the FCT, and some of those cases are still fresh in our memory.
However, it is important to understand that Abuja is a cosmopolitan city. It is bordered by Kogi, Niger, Nasarawa, and Kaduna states, and because of its central location, there is a constant influx of people into the FCT.
As the nation’s capital, many people believe relocating to Abuja automatically translates into better opportunities. Unfortunately, traffickers exploit that perception by luring people with false promises of jobs, wealth, and a better life.
Some victims are brought into Abuja before being transported to other parts of the country, while others are moved through the FCT before being taken outside Nigeria.
That said, I would not agree that Abuja has become a haven for traffickers. Every society has its share of criminal elements, and no state or country is completely free from crime.
At the NSCDC, we have a dedicated Anti-Human Trafficking Unit that works closely with our intelligence officers. We regularly receive intelligence on trafficking activities and have intercepted several cases, particularly around motor parks within the FCT.
In one instance, we rescued three young children found with a woman in an uncompleted building.
Although the woman claimed they were her children, the circumstances surrounding the case raised serious concerns, and investigations are still ongoing.
We also work closely with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and relevant social welfare agencies. Whenever victims are rescued or trafficking suspects are arrested, we collaborate with these organisations to ensure proper investigation and victim support.
You Warned That Illegal Mining Poses Security Risks Beyond Environmental Damage. What Are Those Risks?
Illegal mining presents security risks that go far beyond economic losses.
From our investigations, we discovered that many of those arrested for illegal mining in the FCT are not residents or indigenes of Abuja. A number of them were brought in from states where illegal mining is already widespread.
This raises serious security concerns because some individuals involved in illegal mining have questionable backgrounds.
Whenever we receive credible intelligence, we move swiftly to arrest those involved. During profiling, where necessary, we collaborate with other security agencies, particularly in cases requiring further background checks or investigations relating to terrorism and other serious crimes.
On several occasions, we have had to remove illegal miners from the FCT.
Given the prevailing security challenges in the country, including kidnapping, banditry, and other violent crimes, we must ensure that criminal elements do not use illegal mining as a cover to infiltrate the Federal Capital Territory.
Illegal mining also causes significant environmental degradation. Many mining sites are left badly damaged, posing risks to nearby communities and the environment.
These are some of the reasons why we maintain close surveillance of mining locations across the FCT.
Some Residents Argue That Criminals Seem To Understand FCT’s Terrain Better Than Security Agencies. Is Intelligence Gathering Becoming More Difficult As The City Grows?
No. Intelligence gathering is not a challenge for us.
Our personnel are well trained, and we have officers who specialise in intelligence and combat operations. Naturally, I cannot disclose the methods we use to gather intelligence, but I can assure you that the NSCDC has a robust intelligence network.
Security, however, cannot be achieved by security agencies alone.
We rely on credible information from members of the public and other sources. Once intelligence is received, it is properly analysed before appropriate action is taken.
That is why we always encourage residents to report suspicious movements or activities. Security is everyone’s responsibility.
Many times, after an incident has occurred, people tell us they noticed suspicious individuals or unusual activities but chose not to report them. That should not happen.
If you observe anything unusual within your community, inform the nearest security agency immediately. The person involved could be planning to attack your neighbourhood or even someone close to you.
Public cooperation is essential to effective security.
It is also important to understand that some criminals exploit difficult terrain, particularly forests and remote locations that are inaccessible by vehicles. In many cases, security personnel have to access such locations on foot.
That does not mean criminals understand the terrain better than security agencies. It simply means accessibility can sometimes be challenging.
Regardless of the terrain, our responsibility is to ensure that criminals are identified, tracked, and brought to justice wherever they may be hiding.
How Often Do Your Officers Come Under Attack During Operations?
Security operations come with enormous risks. Although we remain committed to carrying out our responsibilities, there have been several occasions when my officers returned from operations with serious injuries after coming under attack.
That is why we continue to advocate improved welfare for security personnel. Every day, our officers put their lives on the line to protect Nigerians and safeguard lives and property.
Sadly, we have lost some personnel in the line of duty. However, those sacrifices will not discourage us from carrying out our mandate of reducing criminality across the FCT.
Before deploying officers for any operation, I ensure they are properly equipped to minimise casualties if they come under attack. We do everything possible to protect our personnel because they face real dangers in the course of their duties.
This is also why we constantly appeal to the government to provide more operational equipment, including helmets, bulletproof vests, and other protective gear. These are essential for the safety of officers because criminality will not stop on its own. We must continue confronting criminals wherever they operate.
What Would You Say To Those Who Still See The NSCDC As Merely Guarding Government Facilities?
I don’t think the public underestimates the NSCDC, at least not in the FCT.
Our personnel are highly visible and proactive. Every day, they work alongside other security agencies to protect lives, property, and critical national assets.
Our statutory mandate is very clear. We are the lead agency responsible for protecting critical national assets and infrastructure, and that is one of the reasons incidents of vandalism have reduced significantly within the FCT.
Beyond infrastructure protection, we actively participate in joint security operations across Abuja.
Together with other security agencies, we patrol communities and respond to security threats to ensure residents can go about their daily activities safely.
The FCT is the seat of government, so we cannot afford to compromise on security.
As one of the security chiefs in the territory, I can confidently say that, compared with many other parts of the country, Abuja remains relatively safe, and we are committed to sustaining that record.
How Do You Cope With Pressure Of Leading NSCDC Operations In The FCT?
I have a very good shock absorber. I understand the nature of this job. Security work is not for the faint-hearted. It comes with enormous pressure, but we are trained to handle it.
Whatever pressure comes our way, we channel it into ensuring that criminals do not have breathing space. We remain focused on our responsibility of protecting the FCT.
What Security Concern Keeps You Awake At Night?
Monitoring my officers on patrol and ensuring I receive regular operational reports from them.
If You Could Change One Thing To Improve Security In Abuja, What Would It Be?
I would improve the welfare of security personnel across all agencies.
If you take good care of security officers, you will get the best out of them.
What Message Do You Have For FCT Residents?
Abuja residents should work closely with security agencies to make the city safer for everyone.
Security is not the responsibility of security personnel alone. Every resident has a role to play.
If you notice any suspicious movement, unusual activity, or strange object within your neighbourhood, please report it immediately to the nearest security agency.
Credible information is the foundation of every successful security operation. We need the support and cooperation of the public to stay ahead of criminals.
Our message remains simple: when you see something, say something, and we will do something.
