The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ogun State Command, has reiterated its commitment to securing the nation’s critical assets and infrastructure, calling for stronger collaboration with sister security agencies, community leaders, and residents.
This was the central message at a one-day stakeholders’ forum held at the Command Headquarters in Abeokuta, with the theme: “Protecting Critical National Assets and Infrastructure through Effective Cooperation, Collaboration, and Coordination.”
The event brought together top government officials, traditional rulers, security operatives, youth representatives, community development associations, and other stakeholders.
Addressing participants, Ogun State NSCDC Commandant, Remilekun Omalade-Ekundayo, underscored the strategic importance of assets such as transportation systems, telecommunication networks, electricity grids, railway tracks, airports, transformers, forests, and streetlights, stressing that their protection must be a shared responsibility.
She warned that vandalism and the deliberate destruction of public facilities—whether out of frustration or financial gain—pose serious threats to national development.
“Anything the government builds comes at a huge cost. Destroying them is like destroying ourselves because we all rely on these facilities,” she said, urging residents to adopt vigilance, intelligence sharing, and whistleblowing as weapons against sabotage.
Representing the Ogun State Government, the Senior Special Assistant on Inter-Ethnic Affairs, Hadi Sani, echoed the call for grassroots participation in security.
“You should be the chief security officer of your home and community. If you see something, say something. The transformer in your area is your responsibility first, before the government steps in,” he advised.
Representatives of the Police, Army, DSS, Immigration, Fire Service, Correctional Service, Customs, FRSC, Amotekun, TRACE, So-Safe Corps, Vigilante groups, NOA, traditional rulers, and private sector players also pledged support, emphasizing synergy, vigilance, and shared ownership of national assets.
The event also featured recognition of Commandant Omalade-Ekundayo by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) for her outstanding role in safeguarding critical infrastructure, including notable arrests and successful prosecutions across Ogun State.
At the close of the forum, stakeholders unanimously agreed that protecting national assets is a collective responsibility, one that demands cooperation, collaboration, and coordination at all levels of society.
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