Arewa Suppose Tank defends Inside Minister over alleged interference with NSCDC extension service
The Convener of Arewa Suppose Tank, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, has dismissed allegations that the Minister of Inside interfered within the proposed two-year service extension of the Commandant Basic of the Nigeria Safety and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), describing the claims as false and politically motivated.
In an announcement, Yakubu mentioned accusations circulating in components of the North suggesting that the Minister of Inside, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, was making an attempt to dam the extension of the NSCDC Commandant Basic, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, had been “not true and never right.”
“What the youth group is saying in regards to the minister isn’t true and isn’t right,” Yakubu mentioned. “They need to not carry politics into a really severe and delicate challenge akin to safety.”
His remarks got here in response to an announcement issued by the Coalition of Northern Youths Consultative Motion (CNYCM), which accused the minister of making an attempt to frustrate a reported presidential approval for a two-year extension of Audi’s tenure.
The group alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had authorized the extension in recognition of Audi’s efficiency, just like extensions granted to the Inspector-Basic of Police and the Comptroller-Basic of Customs.
In its assertion signed by its Basic Secretary, Comrade Bilal Gambo, and launched in Kaduna, the coalition warned that any transfer to halt the extension might destabilize the Corps and undermine nationwide safety.
It additional alleged that the minister was in search of to put in a most well-liked successor for private pursuits, claims Yakubu strongly refuted.
“The minister has been doing very, very properly. He is without doubt one of the high-profile, revered and performing ministers within the Tinubu cupboard,” Yakubu mentioned.
“We should always enable due course of and permit what the President has authorized to happen. We should not combine up points or regionalize, politicize or ethnicize safety issues, particularly presently in our nationwide growth and as we strategy elections.”
Yakubu additionally praised the management of Audi, noting that the NSCDC boss had recorded important operational successes. Since assuming workplace, Audi has overseen the arrest of over 1,200 vandals and legal suspects, secured 142 convictions, and dismantled 218 unlawful refineries.
Underneath his watch, the Corps established the Civil Defence Academy in Jos, the Arms Squad Coaching Faculty in Nasarawa, and a devoted Feminine Squad to boost gender inclusion.
The NSCDC has additionally expanded its mandate in defending essential nationwide property, together with oil pipelines and agricultural infrastructure, incomes commendations from state governments and safety stakeholders.
Yakubu urged stakeholders and youth {groups} to keep away from inflammatory statements able to undermining public confidence in safety establishments.
“Safety ought to by no means be lowered to political contestation,” he mentioned. “We should help our establishments and respect constitutional processes for the sake of nationwide stability.”
END.