FCT: NSCDC sets up agro rangers operational base in Kuje

The Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Olusola Odumosu, has assured the people of Dafara Community in Kuje Area Council, Abuja, of the Corps’ readiness to set up an Agro Rangers’ operational base in the community.

The Commandant spoke through the Head of the Agro Rangers unit, DCC Okon Offiong when the unit paid a scheduled visit to the village during routine surveillance and patrol of agrarian communities in the FCT.

He said the aim of creating the Agro Rangers by the NSCDC high command was to provide safety for farmers and security for agro-allied investments in the country.

“Our priority is to ensure adequate security for farmers, all agricultural investments, and peaceful co-existence between farmers and herders through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

“The Command has trained men who are well equipped to carry out the task, and we will ensure that the people of Dafara go about their farming business without any fear of attack from any quarter,” he said

According to a statement by the Public Relations Officer, FCT Command, Idoko Samuel, the Commandant, Odumosu, informed the community that having an operational base in Dafara would help bring an end to cases of kidnapping and farmer/herder clashes, as well as guarantee increased food production.

Reacting on behalf of the community, the Chief of Dafara Community, Mr Peter Shekarua, thanked the Commandant for identifying with them at the grassroots, stating that their visit could not have come at a better time in view of the security challenges in the country.

He welcomed the surveillance and patrol teams and promised that members of his community would provide the Corps with an enabling environment to operate so that the various security challenges experienced in the past would no longer be the case.

Meanwhile, the Commandant, NSCDC Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Olusola Odumosu, has charged Divisional Officers of the Command to work in synergy with Private Guard Companies (PGCs) in intelligence gathering.

Odumosu said this while directing all Divisional Officers and Area Commanders to actively supervise, monitor, and engage all PGCs within their jurisdictions in a robust synergy that would enhance timely intelligence gathering and sharing.

Odumosu further said training the operatives of PGCs is one of the responsibilities of the NSCDC; therefore, the command is putting together training on intelligence gathering for PGCs that will better equip them while carrying out their duty.

The Commandant said that although there is already an existing synergy between security agencies, the role of PGC in the security architecture should be paramount.

“Just as the NSCDC has a comparative advantage in information gathering, so do private guard operatives because they are closer to the people at the grassroots.

“Their spread and constant interaction with the public while rendering services in protecting private and government facilities provide an advantage in knowing happenings within their territory,” he said.

He urged residents to say something to security agencies whenever they see anything that seems suspicious or could be of security concern.

“Inasmuch as we have our men stationed in nooks and crannies as well as on patrol, the Corps cannot cover the entire FCT.

“We need citizens to be our eyes and ears at places we are unable to reach, as this will go a long way in ensuring that insecurity is curbed,” the commandant said.

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