The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has unveiled a VIP Protection Unit of the corps.

The NSCDC national PRO, CSC Babawale Zaid Afolabi, said in a statement that Commandant General Audi warned the members of the new unit to discharge their duties professionally and avoid acts that could dent the image of the corps.

Audi gave the charge at the passing-out ceremony of over 501 personnel of the corps chosen from all state commands across the federation and other formations after rigorous proficiency training at the corps’ national headquarters in Abuja.

Audi, represented at the occasion by an Assistant Commandant General in charge of Agro Rangers, ACG Augustine Obiekwe, explained that part of their duties is to ensure the safety and security of individuals who are at a higher risk of threats due to their status, prominence, and influence.

He reiterated that the primary objective of the unit is to minimise the risk of harm to VIPs and maintain their privacy while allowing them to carry out their daily activities and engagements.

Earlier in a welcome address, Assistant Commandant General in charge of Training and Manpower Development, ACG David Abi, enjoined the officers to put into practice all that they learnt in the course of the training, stressing that the corps must not fall short of expectations.

“Consequent upon the need to give practical expression to the responsibility from the Federal Government, the Commandant General swung into action by approving the establishment of a special bodyguard/VIP protection unit for the purpose of proper coordination, command, and control training of selected personnel for better service delivery in line with global best practises,” he stated.

The NSCDC Commandant General consequently approved the appointment of Assistant Commandant of Corps Donald Anyor, whose contributions to some of the training manuals were significant, as head of the unit.