NSCDC to check kidnapping in schools and protect national assets

Abiodun OBA     |

The federal government has called on the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps to develop a robust scheme that would check kidnapping in schools and ensure the protection of critical national assets such as oil pipelines.

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola gave the charge while decorating Ahmed Audi as the new commandant-general of the NSCDC.

In a press statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Interior, Mohammed Manga, the minister said the charge was born out of its resolve to ensure children’s safety everywhere, especially within the school environment, from kidnappers and armed men.

“Children are a specially protected social category. They are innocent and, at the same time, vulnerable. They are as vulnerable to external circumstances as to their own wiles.”

Aregbesola expressed sadness over the spate of kidnappings of students and therefore, urged the NSCDC to continue to work in synergy with other security agencies to immediately restore peace and security in the country, particularly within the school environment.

The minister reminded the new NSCDC boss that he was mounting the organisation’s saddle at a critical time.

“It is going to be rough but that, as a motivational speaker once wrote, it is great challenges that produce heroes and men of history.

“Another scheme, like the Agro Rangers, should also be developed to cover full agriculture and offer protection to all categories of farmers.

“Protecting crop farmers and pastoralists is a matter of national food security,” the statement added.