Pix: Lagos NSCDC Boss, Commandant Adedotun Keshinro

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has expanded its community engagement efforts on the protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) to the Lagos West Senatorial District, urging residents, operators and leaders to take ownership of safeguarding key national facilities.

The NSCDC, whose mandate covers the protection of essential sectors including oil and gas, transport, electricity, telecommunications, education and health, has intensified its campaign against vandalism, illegal dredging, illegal mining and sabotage under the leadership of the Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi.

At a stakeholders’ engagement held in Ikotun-Igando on Tuesday, 18 November 2025, the Lagos State Commandant, Mr. Adedotun Keshinro, said the initiative aims to bring the Corps’ anti-vandalism campaign closer to communities. He noted that the Lagos West meeting marks the fourth major community engagement organised by the command this year.

Keshinro urged traditional rulers, community leaders, youth groups, market leaders, religious organisations, security agencies, telecommunications and electricity companies, and local security networks to collaborate with the Corps in protecting assets crucial to the state’s safety and economic stability. He charged government agencies, operators and especially youths to take full ownership of infrastructure within their communities to prevent destruction by criminal elements.

Representing the Executive Chairman of Ikotun-Igando LCDA, Mr. Arowosafe Adeshina praised the NSCDC for the initiative and called for collective responsibility in combating vandalism. Traditional rulers also endorsed the programme, pledging support toward reducing attacks on infrastructure in their domains.

Operators in the telecommunications and utilities sectors echoed similar sentiments. The Zonal Controller of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr. Tunji Jimoh, urged residents to support government efforts by providing information on theft or vandalism of telecom facilities. He reaffirmed the NCC’s confidence in the NSCDC’s capacity to investigate and prosecute offenders.

A representative of IHS Towers, Mrs. Chigbu Ijeoma, commended the Corps for protecting field workers and stressed the need for broader collaboration to reduce vandalism. The National Youth Council of Nigeria representative from Ifako-Ijaye, Mr. Oluwaseun, pledged continued youth support and promised to relay the message to his constituency.

Eko Electricity representative Mr. Walter Obia encouraged citizens to report illegal connections, theft and vandalism, noting that the NSCDC has demonstrated effectiveness in securing convictions against offenders. The Chairman of the Lagos Scrap Dealers Association, Mr. Adedotun Adewale, vowed to clamp down on members involved in trading vandalised materials and urged the public to report suspicious activities to the Corps.

Stakeholders across various local government areas and LCDAs, traditional institutions, the NCC, IHS Towers, Eko Electric, Fiber One, the Seriki-Hausa of Ikeja, the National Youth Council, the Scrap Dealers Association and transport unions delivered goodwill messages, collectively resolving to strengthen efforts to protect manholes, fibre optics, rail sleepers, power installations and other critical infrastructure from criminal attacks.