Dr. Ahmed Audi, the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has advised the corps’ personnel to exercise restraint during the nationwide protest scheduled for August 1st. Speaking at the NSCDC Headquarters in Abuja on Monday, Audi addressed State Commandants and Zonal Heads, stressing the importance of professionalism and civility in protecting citizens and critical national infrastructure.
Audi highlighted the necessity for a peaceful protest, warning against violence, asset destruction, and property damage. He instructed personnel not to harass or molest citizens, reiterating that while protests are a right, the destruction of government property is not permissible. He assured that the corps is committed to providing maximum security for law-abiding citizens but warned that anyone aiming to cause vandalism or chaos would face punishment.
The Commandant-General announced the deployment of at least 30,000 personnel across the country to monitor and secure the protest. He cautioned against over-zealous behavior, emphasizing that the corps would not tolerate any actions violating its operational regulations. Audi urged Nigerians to prefer dialogue for resolving disagreements, advising parents to educate their wards on the risks of potentially violent protests. He noted that historically, many protests are hijacked by disruptive elements.
The meeting with state officials aimed to review previous directives and develop additional strategies for ensuring a peaceful protest. Audi reaffirmed the NSCDC’s commitment to collaborating with other security agencies to maintain peace in Nigeria.