Pix: CG Audi

In a decisive move to protect its corporate integrity, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has formally debunked widespread allegations regarding the non-payment of promotion arrears and the purported withholding of personnel welfare funds. This clarification follows an unconfirmed report published by several online media platforms on January 23, 2026, which the Corps has described as a malicious campaign of calumny. According to the official statement marked AAA 03/CPRU/NHQ/ABJ/VOL.02/01, the claims leveled against the leadership of the Corps under Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi are entirely baseless and were deliberately sponsored to trigger unnecessary tension and mislead the general public.

​The management of the Corps pointed out that the Commandant General does not possess the administrative or legal authority to control the payment of salary and promotion arrears. These financial responsibilities are managed by the Presidential Committee on Arrears, which is chaired by the Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation and the Accountant General of the Federation. The leadership emphasized that any suggestion that funds meant for personnel have been diverted is a complete falsehood that contradicts the established fiscal protocols of the Federal Government.

​Setting the record straight on the historical context of these payments, the NSCDC noted that the current administration inherited a staggering five-year backlog of unpaid salary arrears upon taking office in 2021. Through persistent interface with the relevant government organs, Professor Audi successfully secured the release of funds to clear the backlog from 2015 to 2019, a move that benefited over 37,000 personnel. This track record serves as a rebuttal to the erroneous claims that the leadership is indifferent to the financial well-being of its officers.

​Providing a transparent update on current pending payments, the Corps confirmed that the request for the 2020 to 2022 arrears has already been approved following a directive from the Commandant General. The payment schedule is currently stationed at the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, where it awaits final release to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System for disbursement. Regarding the 2023 and 2024 arrears, the public was informed that these remain subject to presidential approval and budgetary release, as the government cannot disburse funds without these statutory authorizations.

​The statement further explained that the results for the 2025 promotion examinations were only released in December 2025, and the necessary administrative processing to include these updates in the current budget is ongoing. Despite these procedural delays, the NSCDC remains firmly committed to transparency and inclusive welfare for all its members. The leadership maintained that it would not succumb to blackmail or cyberbullying intended to undermine the credibility of the agency or its mission to secure the nation.

​Concluding the address, Professor Audi appealed to personnel across all commands to remain calm and patient while the government finalizes the release of funds. He urged the media and various stakeholders to verify their information through established official channels rather than rushing to publish sensationalist reports that serve to sow discord. The Commandant General reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to fighting for the interests of his personnel, stating that no level of distraction would deter him from prioritizing the welfare of the men and women serving under the Corps.