The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ahmed Audi, has instructed his men that the human rights of all law-abiding Nigerians must be respected, insisting that gun trucks are not acquired to shoot at civilians but only at criminal elements.
The CG gave the instruction on Thursday at the commissioning of three newly acquired gun trucks by the NSCDC Federal Capital Territory Command and the unveiling of the Special Tactical Squad of the command.
Audi noted that Nigeria is currently facing conflicts that require rugged solutions, hence the acquisition of the gun trucks.
He said: “As we all know, Nigeria is passing through an asymmetric conflict which requires a rugged solution. The commissioning of these gun trucks is one of the strategic ways and methods of providing solutions to this present challenge.”
Audi warned officers against using the gun trucks to intimidate or harass civilians, insisting that the human rights of every Nigerian must be respected.
“These gun trucks must not be used for the harassment or intimidation of civilians. They must not be used for molestation. You must respect fundamental human rights. These gun trucks should only be used for those individuals who have deprived Nigerians of sleep. You must carry out all these instructions in collaboration with sister agencies.”
The Commandant of the FCT Command, Olusola Odumosu, appreciated Dr. Audi for supporting the command with the gun trucks and facilitating the training and retraining of the squad over the last eight weeks.
Odumosu stated that the command is now well-equipped to tackle crimes and criminality in the FCT, adding that “the tactical squad will be strategically positioned within the territory to rid it of criminals.”
“As a command, we will continue to do all that is necessary to rid the FCT of criminal elements.”
The commandant, however, appealed to the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, to support the command with more equipment and gadgets to help carry out their duties effectively.
Odumosu appealed, “It may interest you to know that for the corps to be properly positioned for enhanced service delivery, the FCT command needs more operational vehicles, motorcycles, communication gadgets, protective gear, and other vital equipment to properly and effectively function.
“The need for effective coverage of various suburbs in the six Area Councils necessitated the above requests.”
He also requested that relevant departments at the FCT Administration renovate and restore the command’s facilities.
Representing the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, the Director of the Department of Security Services, FCTA, Adamu Gwari, pledged support for the command while urging the squad to perform at their best.
He said, “Wike is ever ready to support our security agencies for optimum performance. To the trained squad, make judicious use of this equipment and contribute your quota to the safety and security of the territory. We want to see the results of your efforts, where residents will sleep with their eyes closed. Protect the critical infrastructure of the FCT against vandals.”
Gun trucks not for law-abiding citizens but criminal elements – Audi