By Palma Ileye
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Olusola Odumosu, has charged personnel to uphold professional ethics, exercise restraint and avoid using their uniforms and firearms to intimidate members of the public.
Odumosu gave the charge yesterday while declaring open the second edition of the periodic psychological evaluation and fitness test for Armed Personnel at the Command Headquarters, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.
He said the exercise, organised by the Command’s Forensic Investigation and Psychological Service Unit, was aimed at improving personnel’s mental fitness, professionalism and service delivery.
According to him, the Corps has zero tolerance for misconduct, particularly against the civilian population it is mandated to protect, warning that erring personnel would face appropriate disciplinary sanctions.
“The essence of this gathering is for us to encourage ourselves and improve our service delivery. Professionalism must remain our watchword. Your uniform is a symbol of authority and not a means to harass, intimidate, oppress or suppress anyone, especially when you are bearing firearms,” he said.
The FCT Commandant stressed the need for Officers to maintain high ethical standards and remain good ambassadors of the Corps, regardless of their locations or circumstances.
“In the FCT Command, we are exceptional, the reason I am making sure to create a standard that is unrivalled. As officers, you must maintain high standards wherever you find yourself and ensure that you are a good ambassador of the Corps.
“If you are not mentally stable, seek advice and speak out,” he admonished.
Odumosu also condemned the alleged misconduct of an NSCDC Personnel at Kubwa Market, which recently attracted public attention on social media, describing the psychological evaluation as necessary for improving the capacity of armed personnel to discharge their duties responsibly.
He reiterated that the Corps’ primary responsibility was to protect critical national assets and infrastructure, as well as the lives of citizens, stressing that firearms must never be used as instruments of intimidation.
“Our primary responsibility is to protect Critical National Assets and Infrastructure as well as the lives of the citizenry. Your uniform and your arms are not meant for intimidation of the people you are required to protect.
“The use of firearms must be the last resort, and that is only when your life is endangered. Of course, you are not expected to allow a situation to degenerate to that level,” he said.
The Commandant said he was determined to ensure that personnel under the FCT Command remained diligent, disciplined and civil in the discharge of their responsibilities, particularly during confrontations and provocations.
He urged participants drawn from Divisions, Area Commands, Departments and Units to take the evaluation and brainstorming sessions seriously, noting that the exercise would help improve their conduct and prepare them for greater responsibilities.
