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NSCDC boss distributes equipment to states, warns against indiscipline

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The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Audi, has distributed an array of advanced operational equipment to state formation commanders, while warning against indiscipline among personnel.

According to a statement by the agency’s spokesperson, Afolabi Babawale, on Friday, the distribution took place during the agency’s annual strategic meeting at the NSCDC national headquarters in Abuja.

The statement noted that Audi “emphasised that the corps will not tolerate any act of indiscipline, with severe sanctions awaiting any officer found wanting.”

Addressing senior officers and state commanders, Audi thanked President Bola Tinubu for renewing his tenure as Commandant General, describing the renewal as a mandate to intensify operational efforts.

He urged officers to uphold best practices and embrace discipline with unwavering diligence.

“He emphasised that the corps is entering a new strategic phase in which conduct must reflect the highest standards of professionalism, reiterating the administration’s commitment to rewarding loyalty, resilience, and dedication to duty,” the statement read.

Audi highlighted notable progress under his leadership, particularly in resolving long-standing welfare issues that had previously dampened morale.

Since assuming office, his administration has successfully addressed unpaid salary arrears and stalled promotions, thereby enhancing personnel motivation and operational efficiency across formations.

He also outlined key operational achievements, particularly in critical infrastructure protection and the fight against economic sabotage.

According to the CG, the corps has dismantled over 400 illegal refineries, effected numerous arrests, and secured successful prosecutions against smugglers and illegal miners, reinforcing its role as a lead agency in safeguarding Nigeria’s critical assets and natural resources.

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A highlight of the event was the unveiling and distribution of a comprehensive suite of modern operational tools intended to enhance surveillance, response times, and officer safety.

Audi emphasised that the deployment of technology is central to the corps’ strategy for combating insecurity, banditry, illegal mining, and logging.

He stated, “The equipment distributed to each state formation includes three drones for aerial monitoring; operational backpacks with mini tablets, solar chargers, GPS trackers, and situation room connectivity packs for real-time monitoring of personnel; 100 bulletproof vests, 100 helmets, 200 pairs of combat boots, 100 pairs of knee and ankle guards; 20 operational night-vision goggles; 200 sets each of agro-ranger, blue conventional, and white uniforms; 200 berets with belts; 50 shocking batons; 20 chain cutters; torchlight batons; five pen recorders; 20 body cameras; 10 binoculars; water dispensers; and official copies of the NSCDC Code of Conduct, Act, and Standard Operating Procedure manuals.”

Audi instructed that the equipment is strictly for official corps duties, warning that any misuse would attract sanctions.

“These resources are provided to ensure the smooth delivery of duties. Any officer found circumventing this directive will be dealt with decisively,” he said.

The CG further highlighted the corps’ renewed focus on capacity building and training, stressing that professionalism, integrity, and adherence to operational mandates remain non-negotiable. He also underscored the importance of intelligence sharing and inter-agency collaboration, pledging to strengthen coordinated efforts with sister security agencies to enhance national security outcomes.

PUNCH Online reports that the strategic meeting, which drew formation heads from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, also served as a platform to review the corps’ operational blueprint for the year, with particular emphasis on aligning activities with national security objectives and ensuring that the newly deployed equipment translates into tangible results in the fight against economic sabotage and infrastructure vandalism.

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Military veterans meet CDS, demand N250,000 minimum pay for soldiers

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Military veterans have demanded the immediate implementation of the approved N250,000 minimum wage for serving personnel.

They accused the Federal Government of delaying the execution of a law they said was passed by the National Assembly and assented to by President Bola Tinubu.

The demand was made on Monday during a retreat attended by over 70 military veterans at the Armed Forces Headquarters Command Mess 1, Abuja.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Olufemi Oluyede, who was expected at the meeting, was represented by five senior military officers.

According to the veterans, the CDS was attending a meeting at the Presidential Villa.

Speaking on what transpired at the meeting, one of the organisers, Col Innocent Azubike (retd.), said the veterans had presented documentary evidence to the military representatives, who acknowledged their submissions and promised to brief the CDS immediately.

He said, “The five Generals that represented the CDS collected the papers presented by veterans and accepted that what the veterans said were facts. They said they would submit their report to the CDS immediately he comes back from the State House.

“We felt pleased that they acknowledged the facts we raised and felt we could give about a week to know the response from the CDS after he receives the report.”

Azubike said the veterans were disappointed that despite assurances from government officials over several months, the approved salary structure had yet to be implemented.

According to him, the National Assembly in October 2025 passed a bill reviewing the salaries of serving and retired military personnel after a comparative assessment showed that Nigeria had the lowest military pay among several African countries.

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“The Senate passed a Bill for upward review of the pay of serving and retired military personnel. The House of Representatives gave its concurrence.

“Before passing the Bill, there was a comparative study of military pay scales in some other African nations, and Nigeria’s was found to be ridiculously the lowest.

“The Senate fixed N250,000 as the minimum pay for the least-paid soldier and directed that the required funds be included in the 2026 budget. That was done,” he said.

He added that President Tinubu assented to the bill in November 2025 and directed that the implementation should take effect with three months’ arrears.

“The President assented to the Bill in November 2025 and stated that it would carry three months’ arrears from the date of signing. This was publicly announced by the Presidency and widely reported.

“Thereafter, the Ministry of Defence and the Service Chiefs repeatedly thanked the President and assured both serving and retired personnel that payment would commence soon,” Azubike said.

The retired officers, however, alleged that military authorities had recently denied knowledge of the approved salary increase.

“Then suddenly, in July 2026, the CDS and the Ministry of Defence made a U-turn and started posturing as if there was no such pay increment and asking us to produce documents to that effect.

“To worsen matters, the Minister of Defence, who was the CDS when the bill was passed and who championed it, recently claimed that the President increased the military minimum wage from N49,000 to N100,000.

“That statement sent shockwaves through both serving and retired personnel because it is not correct,” he said.

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Azubike explained that the N100,000 salary came into effect following the 2024 national minimum wage adjustment and was unrelated to the military salary review approved in November 2025.

He said the veterans remained committed to their planned peaceful protest to demand implementation of the new salary structure.

“We have clearly stated that we are determined to embark on a peaceful protest at the Federal Ministry of Finance to find out what has become of the approved increment and the funds appropriated for it.

“We are convinced that once we protest, the President will hear directly about the matter and the money will be released by fiat.

“The protest plan remains on course, and donations are still being received so that we can mobilise at short notice if there is any further delay by the authorities,” he added.

The veterans urged the Federal Government to immediately implement the approved salary structure for serving personnel and fulfil the commitments made to members of the Armed Forces.

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House of Reps withdraws own state police bill, considers Tinubu’s proposal

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The House of Representatives has withdrawn its proposed constitutional amendment seeking to establish state police, opting instead to consider a similar bill transmitted by the Executive.

The development emerged during Tuesday’s plenary, where lawmakers gave the Executive-sponsored state police bill its first and second readings.

The bill was subsequently referred to the House Committee on Constitutional Review for further legislative action.

The decision effectively suspends the House’s earlier proposal as lawmakers shift attention to the Executive-backed amendment.

The Executive bill is expected to undergo detailed scrutiny at the committee stage, where lawmakers will examine its key provisions before it is returned to the floor for further consideration.

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Details Of Fresh Meeting Between NSA Ribadu, U.S Govt Officials Emerge

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The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, on Monday, held a high-level meeting with a delegation from the United States government led by Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Frank Garcia.

The meeting was held in Abuja at the NSA’s office, Naija News reports.

Garcia’s visit to Abuja is his first to Nigeria since he was sworn into office on June 1, 2026, and forms part of a wider tour of West Africa that will also take him to Côte d’Ivoire and Mali between July 11 and 18.

Confirming the meeting, Ribadu said their discussions strengthened the strong and enduring Nigeria-US partnership and assessed progress under the Joint Working Group.

They also reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to closer dialogue and cooperation on mutual security priorities.

“In consolidating the gains of our partnership with the United States, I received a high-level delegation led by the new Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Frank Garcia, on his first official visit to Nigeria since assuming office.

“My meeting with them strengthened the strong and enduring Nigeria–US partnership and assessed progress under the Joint Working Group, restating our shared commitment to deeper dialogue, cooperation and mutual security priorities,” Ribadu wrote on 𝕏.

Meanwhile, the NSA recently disclosed that porous borders are a major factor fueling terrorism, arms trafficking, smuggling, human trafficking and irregular migra­tion in Nigeria.

Ribadu made the disclosure in Abuja at the opening of the 15th National Security Sem­inar.

The NSA was represented by the Director of Policy and Strategy at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Amb. Yazid Gbemu­du, at the seminar with the theme, ‘Strengthening Nigeria’s Bor­der Security Architecture for National Stability’.

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He asserted that Nigeria’s ter­ritorial integrity and national stability remained closely linked to the effectiveness of its border security architecture.

According to him, while Nigeria’s extensive land and maritime borders provide op­portunities for trade, regional integration and socio-economic development, they also expose the country to a range of trans­national security threats.

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