Florence Uwaeme
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Rivers State Command, in commemoration of the 2023 World Civil Defence Day, has called on the general public to help with sustained and actionable intelligence that would help the Command to forestall the activities of criminal elements in the State.
Addressing journalists at the Command Headquarters in Port Harcourt, the NSCDC Rivers State Commandant, Michael Besong Ogar, said the World Civil Defence Day is an annual event celebrated every 1st March by countries who are members of the International Civil Defence Organization, whose headquarters is in Geneva, Switzerland.
According to him, “The International Civil Defence Organization (ICDO) is an Intergovernmental organization whose objective is to contribute to the development by States of structures ensuring the protection and assistance of populations and Safeguarding property and the environment in the face of man-made and natural disasters. These structures are generally known as Civil Protection, Civil Defence, and Civil Safety, and are all concerned with managing emergency situations”.
“The International Civil Defence Organization was founded in the year 1931; It has 60 member States, 16 observers States and 23 affiliated members, of which Nigeria is the 42nd Member State.
“Notably, the NSCDC is a paramilitary organization in Nigeria that was first introduced in 1967 during the Civil war back then in Lagos; they were saddled with the responsibility of carrying out sensitization and protection of the Civil populace and known as “Lagos Civil Defence Committee.”
In 1984 Civil Defence was transformed into a National Security outfit. In 1888, it witnessed a significant restructuring which led to the establishment of Commands throughout the nation, including the FCT.
“By the establishment act 2003 as amended in 2007, Civil Defence has the power to arrest with or without a warrant, investigate and prosecute offenders in the name of the attorney general of the federation.”
“Section 3 sub-section 1f, of the NSCDC Act 2007 as amended confers the constitutional powers to arrest, with or without a warrant, detain, investigate and prosecute anyone causing public disorder, breaching public peace, involved in criminal activity, frustrating government program or policies, chemical poison, oil spillage, operating illegal security outfit, Human/child trafficking, nuclear waste, fraud, Vandalisation, religious unrest, cult and ethnic militia activities and many more.”
Continuing, he noted that, “In light of the above, the theme of this year’s World Civil Defence Day, according to the ICDO Secretary General: Njoupou YAP Mariatou, is THE ROLE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES IN RISK ASSESSMENTS.
“The NSCDC Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has directed that we mark this year, 2023 WCDD, on a low key due to the necessities of the Elections.
“This year’s theme depicts that as a nation, to combat crime and criminalities effectively and to detect disaster-prone situations and the environment; the primary place of technology can not be left out. The use of artificial intelligence and modern technology, such as aerial surveillance equipment, CCTV camera etc to ascertain risk assessment and detect crimes is paramount.
” Let me use this opportunity to intimate the respective stakeholders and the general public that the Command is fully ready to serve the people of Rivers State to endure a crime and disaster-free environment. Disasters, Crisis Management, and Safeguarding all Critical National Assets and Infrastructures are key mandates we must carry out. Thus, credible and actionable intelligence is a formidable ingredient that would enhance the capacity of the Command to discharge her Statutory duties effectively”.
“As we look up to a new era in the electioneering period, our officers and men are urged to remain apolitical, neutral and professional in their dealings with the civil populace while the public is also advised to shun all acts of violence and disruption of peace law and order.”
