By Tunji Braimoh, Abuja

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Delta State Command, and the Nigerian Army have reaffirmed their commitment to deeper collaboration in the fight against crime, with both agencies pledging to strengthen intelligence sharing and joint operations to enhance security across the state.

This commitment was made when the newly redeployed Commander of the 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, and Commander, Sector 1, Joint Task Force (South-South), Operation Delta Safe, Brigadier General I.B. Buhari, paid a courtesy visit to the Delta State Commandant of the NSCDC, Commandant Chinedu F. Igbo, at the command headquarters in Asaba.

The visit, which took place on July 21, 2026, was aimed at reinforcing the existing partnership between both security agencies and exploring new strategies for tackling crime and safeguarding critical national assets and infrastructure in Delta State.

Brigadier General Buhari, who was accompanied by senior officers of the brigade, commended the NSCDC for its contributions to maintaining peace and security in the state and for sustaining effective collaboration with sister security agencies.

He noted that reports of the command’s professionalism and commitment to duty had reached him even before his assumption of office, describing the relationship between the Army and the NSCDC in Delta as a model of inter-agency cooperation.

The Army commander, who recently assumed duty, expressed his determination to work closely with all security stakeholders to make Delta State safer and more secure for residents and investors.

According to him, the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure remains a top priority, particularly given the strategic importance of Delta State to Nigeria’s economy.

He stressed that effective security management can only be achieved through sustained cooperation, accessibility and timely exchange of intelligence among security agencies.

General Buhari therefore called for stronger real-time intelligence sharing and greater professional engagement between the Nigerian Army and the NSCDC to improve operational efficiency and response to security threats.

He also praised NSCDC personnel serving within the Joint Task Force framework, describing them as disciplined, dedicated and highly professional officers who have consistently demonstrated competence in the discharge of their responsibilities.

Responding, Commandant Chinedu Igbo expressed appreciation to the brigade commander for choosing the NSCDC command as one of his first official points of engagement following his deployment to Delta State.

He reaffirmed the corps’ commitment to maintaining the cordial working relationship that has existed between both agencies over the years.

The commandant noted that security challenges require a united front and assured the Army commander that the NSCDC would continue to support all collaborative efforts aimed at protecting lives, property and critical infrastructure across the state.

Igbo further pledged the command’s readiness to deepen intelligence cooperation and strengthen operational coordination with the military and other security agencies.

He emphasized that the NSCDC remains committed to its statutory mandate of protecting critical national assets and infrastructure while supporting broader national security objectives.

The meeting ended with both security chiefs expressing confidence that enhanced cooperation between the Nigerian Army and the NSCDC would further strengthen the security architecture of Delta State and deny criminal elements any operating space within the state.

The renewed partnership is expected to bolster ongoing efforts under Operation Delta Safe and other security initiatives aimed at combating criminality, economic sabotage and threats to national assets in the Niger Delta region.