From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu

The Commandant-General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Audi, has inaugurated two NSCDC Divisional and one Area Command complexes within Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu State.

The divisional headquarters complexes are located within Ohodo and Ekwegbe communities and the area command headquarters complex is located at Ukehe community all within Igbo-Etiti LGA.

Inaugurating the well-furnished complexes on Wednesday, Audi commended the Chairman of the council, Dr. Eric Odo, for prioritising security and safety of his people and building enduring peace necessary for sustainable development.

Represented by Assistant Commandant-General of NSCDC in-charge of Zone 13, ACG Cyprian Nwannukwu, assured the people of the council area of adequate deployment of committed personnel to the divisions and area command.

“With the great support and partnership of the chairman, council authorities and people of Igbo-Etiti; the NSCDC will reevaluate the security situation of this area and ensure adequate and round the clock security of the council.

“The Corps will ensure further equipping of the complexes with operational and logistics needs, while we are grateful for the brand new operational vehicle donated to the Area Command,” he said.

Speaking, the Commandant of NSCDC Enugu State Command, Dr. Elijah Willie, appreciated the Commandant-General for approving expansion of the state’s division from 17 to 37 as well as expansion of the area command to seven.

“I am grateful to God Almighty using the Chairman of Igbo-Etiti to give us brand new and benefiting operational complexes, vehicular support and other assistance as well as our C-G approving all of them,” Willie said.

Odo said that Igbo-Etiti remained the first Local Government Area in Enugu State, if not in Nigeria, to construct, equip and furnish a federal security infrastructure in three strategic locations simultaneously.

The chairman said that he was inspired by Gov. Peter Mbah to invest heavily in security; adding that “true peace is sustained — not by waiting for crime to happen, but by preventing it”.

“As a responsible government, we understand that no meaningful progress or development can take place in a chaotic and insecure environment.

“No investor whether local or foreign, will bring an investment let alone invest a dime in a place where security of lives and property is not guaranteed.

“Therefore, the commissioning of this NSCDC Area Command and Divisional Headquarters is a clear demonstration of our administration’s resolve and commitment to beef up security in Igbo-Etiti.

“It is a stern warning that all length and breath of our dear local government will no longer be a soft target or hiding spot for criminals,” he said.

Odo noted that these facilities are one of the ways his administration had fulfilled its promise of adequate security to Igbo-Etiti people, adding: “We are not just solving today’s problems — we are protecting future generations”.

“Going forward, our administration will provide maintenance and logistical support to these commands, strengthen joint-security task forces, if need be, expand digital reporting and community intelligence gathering mechanisms and continue to invest in peace-building structures and youth empowerment.”

President Bola Tinubu has nominated Amb. Ismail Yusuf as the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

The nomination is subject to Senate confirmation, in line with Section 3(2) of the NAHCON Act, 2006.

This was contained in a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, in Abuja on Wednesday.

Tinubu said he had written to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, requesting the expeditious confirmation of Yusuf.

The president said the nomination was to replace Prof. Abdullahi Usman, who resigned this week after about 14 months in office.

Yusuf is a career diplomat and served as Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Türkiye from 2021 to 2024.

The Kogi Government said it will sanction Churches found to be violating the state’s security protocols.

The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, gave the warning in a statement on Wednesday in Lokoja,

Fanwo said the government would sanction churches operating beyond 4:00 pm or in vulnerable locations without security clearance, citing credible intelligence of planned attacks by bandits.

“The government received intelligence of a plot to attack a church in Ijumu Local Government Area, and churches are being warned to comply with security directives to prevent attacks.

“We have observed with deep concern that in spite of clear security advisories, some churches still operate late into the night.

Fanwo said security measures are in place to prevent the attack but the incident highlighted the need for strict compliance with security directives.

The commissioner said the decision prioritised safety, not faith.

“Churches flouting the protocol pose security risk. Security operatives will stop night services, focusing on prevention over emergency response.

“We prevent crime, we don’t just respond to it,” he stated.

He urged religious leaders to cooperate with security agencies, assuring residents of its commitment to safety and peace.

In a related development, Fanwo said the troops of the Nigerian Army have overrun a terrorist enclave, recovering over 2,000 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammunition and a box of high-velocity grenades.

According to him, the operation, led by the Commander 12 Brigade Nigerian Army’, Brig. -Gen. Kasim Sidi, has significantly degraded the operational capacity of the criminal network.

The operation dismantled a camp linked to kingpins Kachalla Ibrahim and Shu’aibu. The camp was destroyed, denying terrorists a staging ground.

Kogi State Security Adviser, Cdr Jerry Omodara (rtd), praised the military’s gallantry, saying terrorism won’t find sanctuary in Kogi .

Fanwo gave an assurance that the state government is working with security agencies to end criminality, emphasising Gov. Ahmed Ododo’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

“We are calling on religious leaders to cooperate fully with security agencies.

“Our approach is not cowardice. We are mobilising security forces to overrun the criminals, and we are recording significant successes,” Fanwo said.