The leadership of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has expressed its displeasure at the petition allegedly filed by the Commander of the Mining Marshal, Mr Attah John Onoja before the senate committee on ethics, privileges and public petitions, over an alleged attack and shooting of its mining marshals by some policemen, including alleged obstruction of its efforts to prosecute illegal miners arrested in Nasarawa state.
According to the Commandant General (CG), Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, the Commander of the Mining Marshal, acted outside his purview by filing the petition without the authorisation of the Management.
Audi said the Corps Management dissociates itself from the petition while the officer has been directed to immediately withdraw the said petition to allow for a smooth and amicable resolution of issues raised in the spirit of the robust interagency relationship between the Nigeria Police and the Corps as well as the harmonious working relationship between the IGP and the CG.
According to a statement issued by Mr Afolabi Babawale, spokesperson for the NSCDC, Audi noted that the office of the IGP has been very supportive of the NSCDC operations by enjoining the police to work closely with the Corps and other Services to enhance national security.
Meanwhile, the Management is already working out appropriate measures to take on the officer, Babawale said.
The spokesman said the Commandant General reiterated his determination to continue to effectively collaborate and synergize with the Nigeria Police in an avowed commitment to stamping out crime and criminality to make Nigeria safer and more secure.
However, the Corps helmsman has requested for a joint investigation with the police with a view to unravelling what actually transpired as we work towards finding a common ground.
“I have spoken to the IGP on the matter and sincerely apologise for the embarrassment that the petition might have caused.
“I have also directed that the petition be withdrawn immediately with a view to resolving it administratively without any rancor”, the CG said.
