Pix: Commandant Remi Ajose, Abia NSCDC Boss

By Isiaka Mustapha, Editor-In-Chief, People’s Security Monitor

When Commandant Remi Ajose assumed office as the 19th substantive Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abia State Command, he walked into a complex terrain one that demanded not only tactical experience but also administrative dexterity and public confidence.

Barely a year into his tenure, Ajose is fast becoming a reference point in security leadership, driving reforms and repositioning the Command as a central player in the fight against crime and the protection of critical government infrastructure in Abia State.

Appointed in October 2024 to succeed Commandant Usman Ishaq Alfadaria, Ajose inherited a command already grappling with rising incidents of pipeline vandalism, illegal mining, and threats to public infrastructure. However, rather than retreat behind bureaucracy, he stepped forward, rallying officers under his command and forging stronger ties with other security agencies.

“We don’t run a one-man army,” he told officers during a parade shortly after his assumption of duty. “But leadership must be accountable, responsive, and focused. This is the tempo we will maintain.”

Since then, the Command has moved aggressively to improve visibility in high-risk areas across the state. Under Ajose, there has been renewed emphasis on intelligence-led operations, covert surveillance, and joint task force deployments with the Police and Department of State Services (DSS), particularly in areas prone to illegal bunkering and infrastructure sabotage.

Although official figures remain classified, senior NSCDC insiders confirm a notable increase in operational tempo and community cooperation under Ajose’s leadership. Crackdowns on suspected oil thieves in Ukwa, surveillance sweeps in Bende, and the presence of officers around government facilities have all become more routine.

The NSCDC’s growing role in the Abia security architecture hasn’t gone unnoticed. Governor Alex Otti, who has declared security a cornerstone of his administration, has shown increasing confidence in the Corps. In a move seen by many as a direct endorsement of Ajose’s leadership, the Governor approved land allocation for the establishment of a permanent NSCDC headquarters in the state. That decision followed months of consistent engagement between the state government and the Command, with Ajose acting as lead negotiator.

“Ajose’s energy and strategic clarity have given the Corps a stronger identity in Abia,” said a senior official in the State Security Council who asked not to be named. “He’s respected across agencies for being results-oriented, and that’s not common.”

Backing Ajose’s field efforts is the Commandant General of the Corps, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, who has been a strong pillar of support for state commands since taking office. During a high-level operational tour in July 2025, Prof. Audi visited the Abia State Command to assess its readiness and morale. That visit culminated in the commissioning of a new office complex for the command, a major boost for logistics and coordination.

In his address to officers during the tour, Prof. Audi made it clear that the Corps was entering a new era. “You must be alert, accountable, and proactive,” he said. “Our responsibility is not just law enforcement; it’s protection of the national fabric.”

In addition to his operational reforms, the Commandant has emphasized collaboration. He recently held strategic meetings with the State Director of the DSS and senior Police officials in the state, focusing on joint surveillance, rapid response, and intelligence-sharing frameworks. His background, holding a degree in Theatre Arts and a Master’s in Public Administration has indeed helped him navigate the nuances of inter-agency diplomacy while maintaining credibility on the field.

At the community level, the story is similar. Traditional rulers and local government officials now report increased interaction with NSCDC field officers, thanks to Ajose’s directive that area commanders hold monthly stakeholder dialogues. These interactions, locals say, have made the Corps more approachable and responsive.

What makes Ajose particularly effective, according to multiple sources within the Command, is his resilience and no-excuses approach to leadership. Officers describe him as one who leads from the front, often participating in late-night patrol briefings and calling divisional officers directly for field updates.

That resilience has endeared him not just to the rank and file but to the state leadership. NSCDC personnel now enjoy closer integration in Abia’s joint security operations and are regularly featured in state-wide task forces tackling illegal mining, crude oil theft, and environmental crimes.

While challenges remain ranging from limited operational vehicles to personnel welfare, Ajose’s stewardship has built new momentum. Officers, once seen as passive responders, now operate with a sense of mission.

Insiders in Umuahia say the Corps is lobbying for further logistical upgrades, including drone surveillance kits and modern monitoring systems, to better protect installations such as NNPC pipelines, telecom towers, and transmission lines.

As the security landscape evolves and national infrastructure faces renewed threats, Abia NSCDC under Commandant Akinremi Ajose is positioning itself not just to respond but to lead. Whether this momentum is sustained may depend on continued federal and state support, but for now, Ajose remains the arrowhead of a command in transition and one that’s increasingly getting things right.