PRESENTATION FOR CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW AND PUBLIC HEARING:
DELIVERED BY RT. COMRADE AMB DR. GARBA SULIEMAN D. MARAFA,
NATIONAL / PRESIDENT CONVENER, WACORPAI
INTRODUCTION
It is with immense honor and a profound sense of national responsibility that I stand before you today, representing WAZOBIA CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND PEACE ADVOCACY INITIATIVE (WACORPAI), to advocate for the review of the constitution through this bill. I would like to express my appreciation to the National Assembly for facilitating this inclusive platform, which enables stakeholders from various sectors to engage in a national dialogue concerning the future framework of our esteemed nation.
The focus of this bill pertains to the NIGERIA SECURITY AND CIVIL DEFENCE CORPS. This paramilitary agency operates under the Federal Ministry of Interior and was established by legislative action under Act No. 2 of 2003, which was later amended by Act No. 6 of 2007. Its legal mandate encompasses the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure, the prevention of crime, and the management of crises and emergency situations.
Anti Vandalism and Conflict Resolution Advocacy. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps has become an indispensable force in the Nigerian Internal Security architecture.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps presence in our communities, both Local, State and Federal spaces where insecurity, banditry, abduction, and conflicts between Farmers and Herders are prevalent. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps has risen to the challenges and responsibilities professionally and with great commitment all these years with the collaboration of other security agencies in protecting the lives and properties of Nigerian citizens.
It is a well known fact that this public hearing is very vital and timely, and therefore deserves our humble recommendations, as it provides an avenue for all the stakeholders to develop and contribute to shaping a full bodied and effective legal framework for our dear nation.
NEED FOR CONSTITUTIONAL RECOGNITION
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria being the supreme and the master law of the land, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps need to be fully recognized and protected by the constitution taking into consideration the onerous responsibilities placed on it by an enactment of the Federal Legislatures. The NSCDC have continued to play a strategic role in the internal security framework although the agency operates based on enactment of the National Assembly not under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
I strongly believe that constitutional Recognition of NSCDC is essential, it will enhance inter agency collaborations and support of Nigerian border security objectives ensure long term stability and will equally solidify NSCDC as a front line security outfit working tirelessly for Nigeria’s peace and stability.
KEY MANDATE OF THE CORPS WORTH HIGHLIGHTING
PROTECTING CRITICAL NATIONAL ASSETS AND INFRASTRUCTURES (CNAI)
It is one of the Corps Mandates given to NSCDC by law to protect oil pipe lines, Grids and communication lines
NSCDC officers are to work day and night to prevent sabotage of critical national Assets, those who were found wanting are being prosecuted at the Federal High court especially cases of transformer vandalism which is very rampant in our society.
AGRO RANGERS INITIATIVES
This is one of the unique programs under the Corps which was designed to protect farmers, herders and agricultural investment so as to enhance food security in the country.
The Agro Rangers Unit is a specialized unit of NSCDC tasked with protection of Agro allied investment, the resolution of conflicts between herders and farmers and ensuring the security of agricultural communities across the State. The unit plays a critical role in mitigating agro related conflicts, ensuring the food security of agricultural communities across the state and safeguarding farm lands from criminal activities.
Agro Rangers is one of the pillars of NSCDC which needs to be well recognized and protected by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria considering its significant contribution to Nigerian security architecture.
The NSCDC under Agro Rangers had resolved so many cases of malicious damage to crops, cattle’s poisoning and other agro related conflicts.
PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION UNIT
The NSCDC based on powers given to it by an Act of National assembly mediates among the willing members of the public. This grass root engagement has assisted in avoiding so many crises among the people, it has equally assisted people in avoiding long and unnecessary civil litigation.
SAFE SCHOOL PROGRAMME
In line with safe school declaration, NSCDC have been very much instrumental in ensuring the safety of all schools in Nigeria, right from the primary level up to the universities. These great efforts have reduced the menace of abduction of school children to the barest minimum.
The National Safe School Response and Coordination Center (NSSRCC) which is a product of the Safe School Programme (SSP) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, derives its legal capacity from the Safe School Declaration (SSD) developed at the International Conference held in Oslo Norway in May 2015. The NSSRCC is domiciled at the NSCDC National Headquarters. The Centre works in collaboration with relevant security Agencies in developing capacities of Stakeholders for intelligence gathering, preventing and responding to attacks on schools. It was predicted on a vulnerability survey conducted by the Corps which showed that 80% of schools across jurisdictions in Nigeria are prone to threat of attacks i.e kidnapping, Gender Based Violence (GBV), cultism, cybercrime, bullying and insurgency related activities.
In December 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari signed the safe school Declaration Ratification Documents, Nigeria thereby became a member and NSCDC was mandated by the federal government as lead agency in coordinating the activities of the NSSRCC at the NSCDC NHQ in synergy with sister agencies i.e military, police, DSS.
Presently the NSSRCC has registered over 11,000 schools and had averted 38 threats by way of attacks across jurisdictions in the country.
The NSSRCC have the following responsibilities both prevention mechanism and response thus:
- Community sensitization and awareness creation using a community based participatory approach.
- Support and continued secured education.
- Mainstream information about safe school into all training and community meetings to ensure understanding among all community members.
- Support a community support network.
- Encourage community participation in decision making.
- Ensure survivors are issued identification by relevant authorities.
- Create awareness on National laws on the right to save education.
- Monitor the traditional conflicts resolution mechanism in the camp and build capacity in this regard.
PRIVATE GUARD COMPANY
It is also one of the Corps mandates of NSCDC as vested in it by an Act of National assembly to ensure the Registration, training, inspection of all the activities of the private guard company. And to make Recommendations to the Minister the registration of Private Guard Companies in Nigeria.
From time to time, inspect the premises of Private Guard Companies, their training facilities and approve the same, if it is up to standard.
Supervise and monitor the activities of all Private Guard Companies and keep a register for that purpose.
Periodically organize workshops and training courses for private guard companies and seal up any private company which operates without a valid license
ILLEGAL MINING OPERATION
Considering the fact that illegal mining is being embarked upon by unregistered operators, which poses serious challenges to Nigeria’s quest for better revenue, the Corps mining marshals have been doing an excellent job in check mating this menace of illegal mining. By integrating this explicitly in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it will no doubt ginger and boost the morale of the entire staff and encourage them to put more effort with respect to this noble initiative.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps should be well recognized in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It should be clearly defined, and its functions should be clearly spelt out in the constitution.
- The mandates which were initially given to the Corps by the Act of the National Assembly shall equally be considered with a view to expanding its limitations so as to give better service to the entire citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
- Scope and limitation of all other security agencies including Police should also be clearly spelt out, to avoid inter agency rivalry which normally resulted in unnecessary loss of life by security officers.
We also call on all our traditional rulers, Religious Leaders, Civil society organizations and the general public to support our submission as NSCDC works for the safety of Nigerian citizens and all other foreigners who will be interested in investing in our great Nation.
CONCLUSION
I wish to express my unwavering support and commitment to advancing the passage of the proposed civil defense bill, recognizing the progress achieved thus far and advocating for its importance without hesitation.
My rationale for this position stems from their exemplary professionalism, effective public engagement, commitment to community policing, risk mitigation efforts, and dedication to serving both the government and the populace.
Therefore, I respectfully request the assembly’s support and urge a vote in favor of the proposed bill.
May this constitution review mark a new chapter for security, development and justice in Nigeria.
Thank you and God bless the federal Republic Of Nigeria
Sincerely,
- COMRADE AMB DR. GARBA SULIEMAN D MARAFA
NATIONAL PRESIDENT, CONVENER WACORPAI
08035850960
wazobia.nig360@gmail.com
