The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, has concluded its stakeholder engagement on the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure across Obalende, Lagos Island, Mainland, Somolu, and Bariga.
The Commandant General of NSCDC, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has consistently demonstrated his commitment to adopting a “whole-of-society” approach in tackling issues such as vandalism, illegal dredging, illegal mining, and the sabotage of the nation’s economic resources.
In line with the Corps’ mandate to ensure the effective protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI), the Area I Command—covering Obalende, Lagos Island, Mainland, Bariga, and Somolu—held its final stakeholder meeting on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Obalende.
The protection of CNAI spans key sectors, including oil and gas, transportation, power and energy, telecommunications, education, and healthcare. This responsibility remains one of the core statutory mandates of the NSCDC.
Speaking on the development, the Lagos State Commandant, Mr. Adedotun Keshinro, noted that the engagement marked the successful completion of the Area Command’s stakeholder outreach, which commenced on January 20 and ended on Tuesday. He was represented at the event by the Head of the Critical National Assets and Infrastructure Department, Deputy Commandant of Corps Kolawole Agbetiloye.
According to the Commandant, such engagements are designed to bring the campaign against vandalism, illegal dredging, illegal mining, and other related offences closer to grassroots communities.
He also urged members of the Scrap Dealers Association, led by Comrade Ibrahim Musa, to regulate their activities and ensure compliance with relevant laws. He emphasized the need for the association to discipline or deregister erring members to safeguard its reputation.
The Baale of Orile Somolu, Chief Muftau Akinpelu, speaking on behalf of traditional rulers, commended the initiative, describing it as a step in the right direction. He assured that traditional institutions would support NSCDC divisions within their domains, particularly in securing operational logistics from the government and other stakeholders.
In her remarks, the representative of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs. Oke Bukola, assured the public of increased sensitization programmes on the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure.
The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) also commended the NSCDC for its efforts in raising awareness about its mandates and activities aimed at protecting public assets.
Similarly, a representative of the Scrap Dealers Employers’ Association reiterated the group’s commitment to collaborating with the Corps and other relevant agencies to identify, sanction, and remove erring members from its fold.
The Area Commander, Area I Command, Assistant Commandant of Corps Samuel Idoko, alongside Divisional Officers and personnel from Obalende, Lagos Island, Mainland, Bariga, and Somolu, attended the meeting. They also addressed questions raised by participants.
The event featured goodwill messages from representatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), NURTW, CMS T and M Nigeria Limited, Community Development Associations and Committees, market leaders (Iyaloja), among others.