Pix: Commandant Bala Bawa Bodinga<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Isiaka Mustapha, CEO\/Editor-in-Chief, People’s Security Monitor<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When Commandant Bala Bawa Bolinga assumed leadership of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Jigawa State, the Command was a shadow of its intended purpose, lacking direction, low on morale, bruised by years of neglect and deficient in sound leadership. But within just two months of his stewardship, insiders, multiple sources, and observers now speak of a quiet transformation led by a man fondly called ‘The Repairer’ by his mentor and principal, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, the Commandant General of the NSCDC.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Commandant Bodinga doesn\u2019t carry the flamboyance often associated with high-ranking officers. His deep sense of humility unknown to many belies his capacity for high productivity. He is not prone to speeches or theatrics. But in a place where security is often reactive and command structures are bureaucratic, Bodinga\u2019s methodical style has turned heads for all the right reasons. ‘He’s measured in words but decisive in action,’ one officer tells People\u2019s Security Monitor<\/em>. ”He listens more than he talks, and when he talks, we move.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n When Bodinga walked into the Command on May 9th this year, he found a disjointed Corps battling internal disunity, dwindling public trust, and a seeming lack of direction. Patrol vehicles were not only grounded but had gone rusty. Officers lacked basic operational gear, and response times to emergencies were embarrassingly slow. Civil engagement, once the pride of the NSCDC had all but vanished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His first step? For weeks, Commandant Bodinga toured all local government outposts across Jigawa, meeting top officers, rank-and-file operatives, traditional rulers, members of the public, and security enthusiasts. \u2018’Security must serve the people,’\u2019 he reportedly told a gathering in Dutse. \u2018’And to serve, we must first understand, identify, and establish the dynamics of the insecurity around our people by engaging them in conversation.’\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n That listening tour became the foundation for a sweeping reform. Within weeks, Bodinga pushed for new training modules, revived community engagement structures, and introduced what he called the \u201cCommand First\u201d principle,a leadership model that emphasised unit cohesion, discipline, and local partnerships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But perhaps most symbolic of Bodinga\u2019s \u201crepair\u201d work was the reactivation of the state\u2019s dormant Surveillance and Intelligence Unit. He tapped into young officers\u2019 tech savvy, introducing various communication devices for more effective patrols. Yet, he didn\u2019t abandon traditional structures. District heads, vigilante leaders, community elders, and religious authorities were drafted into a series of security meetings and briefings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beyond operations and logistics, Bodinga has earned admiration for what some call his \u201csterling leadership.\u201d He introduced monthly ethical briefings, emphasised officers\u2019s welfare, and wiped out corruption with what insiders say was \u201csurgical operation.” Officers and men of the Corps were issued stern warning, and told point blank of the consequences of their indictment in corrupt practices, \u2018\u2019Any officer caught in corrupt practices shall be Pix: Commandant Bala Bawa Bodinga By Isiaka Mustapha, CEO\/Editor-in-Chief, People’s Security Monitor When Commandant Bala Bawa Bolinga assumed leadership of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Jigawa…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":10748,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10742","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pages"],"yoast_head":"\n <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td><\/tr> <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
subjected to the full weight of the law. Note that you\u2019re either
serving the people with honour, or you\u2019re out.” Bodinga had warned in
his first official speech.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"