By: Felix Ikpotor
The South South Youths Initiative (SSYI) have has frowned at the recent call for the removal of the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps ( NSCDC), Ahmed Audi following an incident involving death of miners in Niger State as ill-conceived and politically motivated.
SSYI in a statement by its National President, Comrade Imeabe Saviour noted that although Audi is the head of the Corps in the country, he cannot be squarely held accountable for an offence committed by a state command that reports to Deputy Commandant-Generals and Assistant Commandant-Generals who are heads of various zones.
The youth group noted that by the NSCDC Act of 2003, State Commandants are empowered to carry out activities of the Corps within their respective States, adding that every State Command has its own Legal Unit, Intelligence Department, Administrative Department and other operational departments that handle day-to-day activities.
The group recalled that the Commandant General has issued several circulars warning all formations against detaining suspects beyond 24 hours, in line with the Constitution, claiming that circulars to this effect were issued in 2022 and 2024 and widely circulated to all State Commands.
”It is therefore wrong, unjust and mischievous for individuals or groups to call for the head of the Commandant General for an offence allegedly committed by a State Commandant, even if the Commandant is said to be a first-time offender within the NSCDC system. The principle of vicarious liability cannot be stretched to crucify a reformer for an isolated operational breach” Oscar said.
He also noted the Commandant-General’s, contribution to helping the Federal Government to stabilize crude oil production in the Niger Delta region by increasing production from about 800,000 barrels per day to about 1.6 million barrels per day.
He alleged that those calling for the removal of the CG are those not comfortable with his fight against illegal minning in some northern part of the country especially some politicians who may be benefitting from the illegal activities of miners.
”Now that the Commandant General is replicating the same result-oriented strategy in the solid minerals sector to curb illegal mining, some powerful illegal miners and their collaborators who are uncomfortable with his renewed onslaught are sponsoring campaigns calling for his removal.
”The Commandant General should be allowed to repeat what he did in the Niger Delta, in the mining sector. For the first time in Nigeria’s history, in 2025, the Federal Government raked in about N40 Billion Naira from mining activities alone, largely due to the stringent measures and operational reforms introduced by Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, ” he said.
The group called on the Presidency, the Minister of Interior, and all well-meaning Nigerians to disregard the sponsored calls for the removal of the Commandant General. Prof. Audi, calling for his supported and encouragement to do more for the nation.
