Senator Adams Oshiomhole has called for a review of the name of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, arguing that its current designation does not fully reflect the realities of its operational responsibilities.
Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District, made the call on Friday in Abuja during the unveiling of a book authored by the NSCDC FCT Commandant, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, titled “Nigeria’s Security Dilemma: Rivalries and Implications.”
According to the former Edo State governor, the inclusion of the word “Civil” in the agency’s name suggests a non combat orientation, which contrasts sharply with the dangerous security challenges its personnel confront daily.
He noted that the NSCDC is tasked with protecting Nigeria’s critical national assets and infrastructure, a role that frequently places operatives in direct confrontation with heavily armed criminals, including vandals and illegal miners.
“To be civil means you should not bear firearms, so if you do not bear arms to deal with people involved in illegal oil bunkering or the destruction of public property, which you have been asked to protect, will you then preach while they carry guns?
“If you want to be civil, how do you deal with hardened criminals? If these criminals carry sophisticated weapons, you fighting them should not carry less sophisticated weapons.
“When I see service chiefs holding meetings and I don’t see the Commandant General (CG) of Civil Defence, I am like, there is something missing,” he said.
Oshiomhole emphasized that no single security agency can effectively address insecurity at either the national or sub national level without collaboration.
He urged Nigerians, including political leaders and security institutions, to put aside differences and unite in confronting the country’s growing security challenges.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu remains committed to deploying all necessary measures to improve national security and reduce insecurity across the country.
The senator also commended Dr. Odumosu for contributing to national security discourse through his publication, describing the work as timely and insightful.
“It is commendable that you put out your thoughts while in the system and not outside the system, as it is much more dangerous to speak truth to power,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, security expert Professor Tyor Terhemba, who reviewed the book, stressed that Nigeria’s security crisis requires a collective and coordinated response.
“This is a time to have all hands on deck to collectively fight the enemies of the state; hence, it is not a time for rivalry but a time to be united,” he said.
Terhemba noted that the book reinforces the importance of unity, synergy among security agencies, regional and international cooperation, intelligence sharing, and addressing structural issues affecting the security sector.
He added that the publication also examines political interference, unclear legal frameworks, accountability, security reforms, and communication systems.
In his remarks, Odumosu said the book approaches security from a holistic perspective and advocates for a united front among all security stakeholders.
“No one has a monopoly of wisdom or strategy, so there is a need to tackle insecurity from a common front.
“Obviously, there have been issues of unhealthy inter agency rivalries, which have been a pain to coordinated national responses to our security challenges.
“I looked at it from the perspective that all security agencies must understand that we have the same goal, whether our mandates are interwoven or not.
“We have a collective responsibility to ensure peace and order in Nigeria,” Odumosu said.
He reiterated that as long as security agencies continue to view one another as competitors rather than partners, achieving effective national security coordination will remain difficult.
