The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said over N1bn has been paid as compensation to families of officers who died or sustained injuries during operations across the country within the last two years.
The NSCDC Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, made this known on Monday during an operational working visit to the Ondo State Command of the Corps in Akure.
According to Audi, the payment, which was made under the government’s insurance benefit scheme, was determined based on rank and formed part of the welfare package approved for affected personnel and their families.
He said, “So far, within the period of two years, the government has paid over N1bn to our staff as a result of being involved in operational activities nationwide.
“Some we lost, some were injured to the extent that they had one or two of their limbs amputated. And in a bid to compensate them, the government approved such funds for the personnel. We give such funds to the deceased next of kin and the personnel who survived.”
He added that some personnel who sustained severe injuries, particularly in the North-East, recently received compensation, while the Corps also provided artificial limbs to those who suffered amputations.
“Even last month, we paid certain staff shot during operation and many of them are from the North-East region. Some of them who had amputation of limbs — either arms or legs — we bought limbs for them,” Audi explained.
While emphasising the Corps’ commitment to continuous training and retraining of its operatives, Audi said most casualties were recorded during ambushes, a challenge he noted was not peculiar to Nigeria.
“If you trace the antecedents of ambush worldwide, it always records some casualties. Though, we have developed other strategies on how to manage such situations and when we find ourselves in ambush, we know what to do,” he said.
The Commandant General commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for their support and approval of the compensation packages, noting that the gesture would further boost the morale of officers across the country.
Audi, who stated that he had visited 29 commands nationwide, said his visit to Ondo State was aimed at interacting with personnel, assessing their challenges, and providing solutions where necessary.
“The visit is to encourage them not to lose hope in providing security and safety to critical national assets and infrastructure,” he added.
He urged officers to remain steadfast in the discharge of their duties and assured them that the government remains committed to their welfare and entitlements.
Audi also expressed grief over the recent loss of NSCDC personnel in Bayelsa State, saying the incident reinforced his resolve to continue supporting officers and their families in times of need.
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