By Samuel Ike, Abuja

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has commenced a week-long National Armourers’ Retreat and Symposium for more than 150 armourers and arms commanders drawn from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The programme, themed “Management of Arms and Ammunition,” is designed to strengthen professionalism, enhance accountability, and improve coordination among arms-bearing units of the Corps.

Declaring the retreat open at the Corps National Headquarters in Abuja, the Commandant General, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR, issued a strong warning against illegal arms dealings and other forms of unethical conduct. He stressed that the NSCDC leadership would not tolerate any violation of arms handling regulations or professional standards.

Professor Audi stated that any officer found engaging in gun running, illegal arms rentals, unauthorized lending of weapons, or other illicit activities involving arms and ammunition would face immediate dismissal and prosecution. He urged personnel to uphold the highest standards of discipline, integrity, and responsibility in the discharge of their duties.

The Commandant General also called for greater cooperation among departments and units within the Corps, emphasizing that teamwork and operational harmony are essential to achieving the NSCDC’s mandate of safeguarding critical national assets and ensuring public safety.

In his remarks, the Commandant of the NSCDC Centre for Civil Defence Studies, Assistant Commandant General Opara Charles Kenechukwu, described arms management as a critical national security responsibility. He noted that every weapon in the custody of the Corps must be properly maintained, securely stored, fully accounted for, and deployed strictly in line with established laws, regulations, and operational procedures.

The opening ceremony featured goodwill messages from senior officers, including Deputy Commandants General Dr. Nnamdi Nwinyi, Zakari Ibrahim Ningi, and Pedro Awili Ideba, as well as the Commandant of Armament, Dr. Michael Eneghela. The event also witnessed the presentation of merit and excellence awards to distinguished officers and special units, including the Commandant General, senior management officers, the Special Intelligence Squad, VIP Protection Unit, Mining Marshals, and other operational formations for their outstanding contributions to the Corps’ successes.