NSCDC To Deploy 30,000 Officers Nationwide During Protest

The Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abubakar Ahmed Audi, has announced plans to deploy 30,000 officers nationwide to safeguard critical national infrastructure during the planned protest against hunger.

Naija News reports that this announcement was made during a meeting with the Corps’ Commandants and Zonal Commandants at the NSCDC headquarters in Abuja on Monday.

Audi emphasized the need for this deployment due to intelligence reports indicating that some criminals intend to exploit the protest to cause chaos and damage public infrastructure.

Protests have been called by many Nigerians, predominantly youth, starting on August 1, in response to rising living costs.

The cost of living has surged following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s removal of the fuel subsidy and the relaxation of foreign exchange controls since he took office last year.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, inflation reached a record 34.19 percent in June, with food inflation exceeding 40.87 percent.

While acknowledging the right to peaceful protest, the NSCDC CG emphasized that violence and the destruction of government property would not be tolerated.

Audi assured that the Corps would protect peaceful demonstrators but would also act against any individuals inciting violence.

“Nigerians have the right to protest but tracing the history of protest in Nigeria, most have been hijacked by bad elements. Your duty is to make sure that the protest is peaceful.

“We don’t want violence, we don’t want destruction, we don’t want killings, we don’t want burning of properties. Do your job professionally and make sure you don’t molest any citizen,” he told the senior officers.

Audi confirmed that the Corps is prepared for the protest and that the meeting aimed to finalize strategies for the nationwide deployment.

He urged Nigerians to remain patient with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, highlighting the government’s efforts to improve living conditions. Additionally, Audi called on parents to discourage their children from participating in the protest.