In a major affirmation of his sterling leadership and contributions to internal security in Plateau State, the State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ishaku Musa, has been conferred with the prestigious Security Icon of the Year 2025 Award by the Guild of Security Writers (GSW). The award, which was presented by Chief Dele Adewunmi, National President of the Guild, came during a high-profile security stakeholders’ forum in Jos and was attended by security experts, traditional rulers, government representatives, civil society actors, and the media.

Commandant Musa was selected for the award following a rigorous evaluation process conducted by the Guild’s board of editors and investigative correspondents. According to the Guild, his leadership in Plateau State stood out among over 30 nominees nationwide based on verifiable performance indicators, community impact, professionalism, and innovation in public safety management.

Since taking over the leadership of the NSCDC in Plateau State in November 2024, Ishaku Musa has implemented numerous far-reaching reforms and operations aimed at enhancing security and strengthening community trust. Under his watch, more than 1,200 NSCDC officers have been strategically deployed across the 17 local government areas of the state.

He established a dedicated Farm Security Task Team, which mobilized 287 Agro-Rangers to vulnerable farming areas during the 2024–2025 harvest season. This proactive move was credited with preventing violent confrontations in no fewer than 38 conflict-prone communities, including parts of Bokkos, Mangu, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom.

The Command under his leadership has also successfully mediated and resolved over 412 civil and communal disputes through the Corps’ Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) unit, with an impressive 87% resolution rate. In 2024 alone, the NSCDC Plateau Command, working in synergy with other agencies, thwarted 19 attempted cases of vandalism targeting critical infrastructure such as electrical substations, rail lines, and pipelines. Thirty-four suspects were arrested in connection with these incidents, and many are currently being prosecuted in the Federal High Court in Jos.

Commandant Musa also launched the Community Security Enlightenment Initiative, which saw over 650 vigilante leaders, youth stakeholders, and women advocates trained in early warning systems, intelligence sharing, and community resilience. His office also spearheaded safety audits of more than 170 schools across Plateau State, resulting in improved security protocols, especially in high-risk areas such as Kanam, Riyom, Barkin Ladi, and parts of Jos South.

During the award presentation, Chief Dele Adewunmi commended Ishaku Musa’s model of leadership, which he described as people-focused, intelligence-led, and ethically grounded. He noted that Musa’s approach to security blends operational effectiveness with empathy, inclusion, and respect for human rights qualities that have made him stand out in Nigeria’s complex security landscape.

In his acceptance speech, Commandant Musa expressed deep appreciation to the Nigerian Guild of Security Writers for the honour, which he described as both a recognition and a challenge. He dedicated the award to the officers and men of the Plateau NSCDC who, according to him, “put their lives on the line daily to defend the state.” He said the award would spur him to do more in his efforts to make Plateau a safer and more secure place for all residents.

Musa reaffirmed his commitment to transparency, professionalism, and collaboration with all stakeholders, including sister security agencies, traditional institutions, and community leaders. He revealed plans to launch a new Rural Security Initiative (RSI) in the final quarter of 2025, aimed at improving security in underserved and remote farming communities across the state

Security analysts say Ishaku Musa’s leadership has set a new benchmark for sub-national security administration in Nigeria. His emphasis on intelligence, proactive engagement, inter-agency coordination, and local partnerships is widely seen as a model worthy of replication across other states. Many believe that his recognition by the Nigerian Guild of Security Writers is not just a personal achievement but a symbol of hope and excellence in Nigeria’s quest for effective and people-driven security governance.

As Ishaku Musa continues to pilot the affairs of the NSCDC in Plateau with focus, vision, and integrity, citizens and observers alike look forward to a more secure and coordinated response to the state’s complex security challenges. The man now fondly referred to by many as “the People’s Commandant” appears poised to build on his legacy of service in the years ahead.