Mustapaha Muhammad Tukur
The Commandant-General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Audi accused some security operatives of serving as informants to criminals, noting that the rise in crimes constituted a threat to critical national assets and infrastructure, in states like, Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Borno and other states of the north.
Daily Trust reports that the CG, who stated this at the stakeholders’ summit on the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure at the NAF Conference Centre in Abuja on Tuesday, emphasised the need for security agencies to re-strategise for better protection of the national assets from the assault by criminal elements.
“You will agree with me that the nefarious activities of these criminal elements are being strengthened not only by informants within security formations but equally those within the society; hence the need to engage our traditional rulers, religious, community, political and youth leaders in the process of finding a solution to this menace.” he said.
The CG, who expressed concern over a statement by the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, that the federal government spends N60 billion annually on the repair and maintenance of vandalised oil pipelines across the country, emphasised the need to re-strategise for better protection of national assets from the assault of criminal elements.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, said that government in investing heavily to provide basic infrastructures in the country.
He said schools and educational institutions are classified as critical national assets and infrastructure to focus more effort on for a safer and more secured teaching and learning environment.
“The federal government, various states and local governments are currently massively investing in the development and construction of various infrastructure that would support employment generation, poverty reduction and the comfort and wellbeing of the Nigerian people,” he said.