The College of Security Management of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC), has graduated 308 officers in weapons handling, to give backing to the protection of national critical assets of government.
At a ceremony held in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Abdullahi Mohammodu, represented by the Assistant Commandant General (Zone F), Waheed Popoola, challenged officers on the rule of engagement and civility.
He also charged them to continue to exhibit a high sense of integrity, patriotism and exemplary service to their fatherland.
In his message delivered by the Assistant Commandant General, the NSCDC Commandant General challenged them on the rule of engagement, asking them to shun corruption and other vices that could put the body in disrepute.
“I wish to thank our wonderful instructors for the high level of discipline imbibed into the graduands and techniques to actively engage enemies while protecting public utilities.
“You have indeed made us proud. Furthermore, being part of the college Composite Arms Training Programme 001, is not license for you to molest civilians.
“You must at all times abide by the rules of engagement, in knowing when, where, how and against whom force may be used.
“Always remember that there are procedures and standards in weapons handling, therefore, as you step out of this noble institution, your character will determine how far you will go – Endeavour to exhibit the highest sense of integrity, patriotism and exemplary service to all and sundry”, he said.
The provost of the college on the other hand, believes that the college Composite Arms Training Programme is a wake up call to the need of building professional capabilities for better service delivery.
“It is no longer news that our country is presently being faced with various security challenges which requires concerted effort by everyone to enable us confront it head on.
“In this regard, the need to train and retrain our men and officers on arms and other security areas cannot be over looked, it is therefore important to expose our officers to modern techniques of fighting terrorism and other forms of crime.
“The corps has trained you for a purpose that clearly differs from killing and maiming of innocent Nigerians.
“It is important to know that to whom much is given, much is expected. I therefore urge you to desist from intimidating and molesting the civil populace, shun corruption, and never see yourselves as a rival to any sister agency.
“But instead, be the change agent who would work relentlessly towards achieving a peaceful Nigeria,” the provost stated.
Officers were drawn from Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Lagos and Edo states for the programme and it is expected that they would make professionalism and patriotism their watch word in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities, henceforth.