NSCDC boss asks Mining Marshals Commander to withdraw petition

Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Audi, has ordered the Commander of the Mining Marshal  Attah   Onoja to withdraw his petition from the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, over an alleged attack and shooting of mining marshals by policemen.

Audi expressed displeasure over the petition, which includes alleged obstruction of efforts to prosecute illegal miners arrested in Nasarawa State.

The commandant said   Onoja did not allow the internal resolution mechanism of settlement of disputes among security institutions to be explored before filing the petition.

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Audi argued that the commander acted outside his purview by filing the petition without the authorisation of   NSCDC management.

In a statement issued by the Corps Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, the NSCDC

Management dissociated itself from the petition and ordered the officer to immediately withdraw the said petition.

The NSCDC management maintained that the withdrawal would “allow for a smooth and amicable resolution of issues raised in the spirit of the robust interagency relationship between the Nigeria Police and the Corps as well as the harmonious working relationship between the IGP and the CG.”

“ It was also discovered that the IGP was not aware of the complaints before the petition was written by the officer, “ Babawale said.

He said:”The CG noted that the office of the IGP has been very supportive of the Corps’ operations by enjoining the Police to work closely with the Corps and other Services to enhance national security and the realisation of Mr President’s  Renewed Hope Agenda

“Meanwhile, the Management is already working out appropriate measures to take on the officer.

“The Commandant General reiterates his determination to continue to effectively collaborate and synergise with the Nigeria Police in an avowed commitment to stamping out crime and criminality to make Nigeria safer and more secure.”

Babawale said a joint investigation with the police, to unravel what transpired, would be conducted on the matter as the two institutions find solutions to the problem.

He said the NSCDC CG has appealed to the IGP for the embarrassment that the said petition may have caused.

“I have spoken to the IGP on the matter and sincerely apologise for the embarrassment that the petition might have caused.

“I have also directed that the petition be withdrawn immediately with a view to resolving it administratively without any rancour”, the CG said.

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