A group umder the aegis of South-South Youths Initiative, has condemned calls for the removal of the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its National President, Comrade Imeabe Saviour Oscar, the group described the call as wrong, unjust, mischievous, misplaced and politically motivated.
It stated that when the Commandant General helped the Federal Government to stabilize crude oil production in the Niger Delta region, increasing production from about 800,000 barrels per day to about 1.6 million barrels per day, nobody called for his head, pointing out that his efforts saved the nation’s economy.
The statement read; “Our attention has been drawn to the unwarranted calls for the removal of the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, over an alleged offence committed by a State Commandant.
“As a concerned civil society organization committed to institutional integrity and due process, we wish to set the records straight and condemn these calls in its entirety.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we state as follows: Administratively, the Commandant General is the Head of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). He is followed in hierarchy by the Deputy Commandant Generals (DCGs), and then the Assistant Commandant Generals (ACGs).
“The Corps operates Zonal Commands across the country, and these Zonal Commands are headed by Assistant Commandant Generals.
“Though State Commandants are appointed by the Commandant General, administratively, State Commandants report directly to the Zonal Commanders who are ACGs.
“State Commandants are empowered by the NSCDC Act of 2003 to carry out activities of the Corps within their respective States. Every State Command has its own Legal Unit, Intelligence Department, Administrative Department and other operational departments that handle day-to-day activities.
“It is on record that the Commandant General has issued several circulars warning all formations against detaining suspects beyond 24 hours, in line with the Constitution. Specifically, circulars to this effect were issued in 2022 and 2024 and widely circulated to all State Commands.
“It is therefore wrong, unjust and mischievous for individuals or groups to call for the head of the Commandant General for an offence allegedly committed by a State Commandant, even if the Commandant is said to be a first-time offender within the NSCDC system. The principle of vicarious liability cannot be stretched to crucify a reformer for an isolated operational breach.
“When the Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, helped the Federal Government of Nigeria to stabilize crude oil production in the Niger Delta region, increasing production from about 800,000 barrels per day to about 1.6 million barrels per day, nobody called for his head. His efforts saved the nation’s economy.
“Now that the Commandant General is replicating the same result-oriented strategy in the solid minerals sector to curb illegal mining, some powerful illegal miners and their collaborators who are uncomfortable with his renewed onslaught are sponsoring campaigns calling for his removal.
“The Commandant General should be allowed to repeat what he did in the Niger Delta in the mining sector. For the first time in Nigeria’s history, in 2025, the Federal Government raked in about *N40 Billion Naira* from mining activities alone, largely due to the stringent measures and operational reforms introduced by Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi.
“We therefore call on the Presidency, the Honourable Minister of Interior, and all well-meaning Nigerians to disregard the sponsored calls for the removal of the Commandant General. Prof. Audi should be supported and encouraged to do more for the nation”.
