The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has reaffirmed the Corps’ pivotal role in safeguarding Nigeria’s Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI), describing the responsibility as central to national security, economic stability, and crisis management.
Speaking during a lecture at the National Defence College in Abuja titled, “Protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure During Crisis Management: Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Perspective,” Audi said the NSCDC has evolved into a proactive, intelligence-driven security agency committed to protecting strategic national assets through surveillance, rapid response, stakeholder engagement, and community partnerships.
He said the Corps has recorded notable successes in securing oil and gas facilities, power installations, telecommunications infrastructure, transportation networks, and other critical assets against vandalism, sabotage, crude oil theft, and other security threats.
According to the NSCDC boss, these efforts have contributed significantly to strengthening national security while supporting economic growth by ensuring the uninterrupted operation of essential services.
Audi noted that Nigeria’s evolving security landscape marked by terrorism, cyber threats, insurgency, and natural disasters required a more resilient and technology-driven approach to protecting critical infrastructure.
He called for stronger legislative backing, sustained investment in modern security technologies, enhanced collaboration among security agencies, and continuous capacity building to improve the Corps’ effectiveness in protecting national assets.
The Commandant General stressed that the protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure is a collective responsibility that is vital to Nigeria’s stability, sustainable development, and national resilience.
He reaffirmed the NSCDC’s commitment to strengthening its operational capabilities and expanding strategic partnerships to ensure a safer and more secure Nigeria.
