A non-governmental organisation, STAND UP Nigeria, has applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his recent directive withdrawing police personnel from VIP protection duties, describing the decision as bold, strategic, and long overdue.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Sunny Attah, on Wednesday in Abuja, the organisation assured the Presidency and Nigerians that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) is fully prepared to take over VIP protection responsibilities.
Attah noted that under the leadership of the Commandant General, Dr. Abubakar Audi, the Corps has undergone extensive reforms, trainings and restructuring that have positioned its officers to meet global standards in protective security.
> “The NSCDC of today is not the NSCDC of yesterday. Dr. Audi has transformed the Corps into a professional, disciplined and highly capable security institution. Officers and men of the NSCDC have been trained and retrained to meet international best practices, and they are ready to handle VIP protection with excellence,” the statement read.
STAND UP Nigeria commended President Tinubu for demonstrating confidence in a broader national security architecture, stressing that the shift will allow the police to refocus on core policing duties such as crime prevention, public safety and community security.
The organisation also appealed to the President to increase funding for the NSCDC, noting that the leadership under Dr. Audi has shown exceptional commitment, capacity and vision in strengthening the Corps.
> “We urge Mr. President to boost NSCDC funding to enable the Corps consolidate on the remarkable achievements already recorded under Dr. Audi. With better logistics, equipment and operational support, the NSCDC will exceed national expectations in its new expanded role,” Attah added.
STAND UP Nigeria reaffirmed its confidence that with adequate support, the NSCDC will deliver efficient, reliable and globally compliant VIP protection services, further enhancing Nigeria’s overall security framework.