From Nabob Ogbonna, Abakaliki
The governor of Ebonyi state, Francis Nwifuru has called on the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to deploy 400 personnel to the state so as to arrest the rising cases of illegal mining in some areas of the state.
The governor made this request on Friday when the NSCDC Commandant-General, Ahmed Audi paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Abakaliki.
Audi’s visit to Ebonyi as learnt was part of he’s nationwide tour to assess state-level challenges and infrastructure gaps within the operation.
Nwifuru described the security shortage as “grossly inadequate” and far below what is obtainable in other states.
He expressed concern over the present proliferation of illegal mining operations being observed in some areas of the state, noting that gold and other valuable resources are extracted from the state soil under the guise of lead and zinc.
“In the absence of adequate NSCDC presence, military personnel have been forced to perform duties outside their primary mandate.
“So presently the army is doing NSCDC’s job because you don’t have enough manpower to do the job on ground,” Nwifuru stated.
To address this situation, the governor however submitted a list of 194 potential recruits from Ebonyi State for consideration by the federal government. He noted that their absorption into the Corps would enhance security, reduce youth unemployment in the state.
The governor added that under existing federal laws, mining licenses still remains exclusively right of the federal government thereby limiting state capacity.
“We don’t license miners or sign consent agreements; the federal government holds that power. So when you don’t give us manpower, what do we do?” he queried.
Nwifuru pledged to provide logistical support which include operational vehicles, when more personnel are deployed to the state.
“If you give us 400 officers, the 10 Hilux vehicles will come immediately, as you requested,” Nwifuru assured.
In his response, Prof. Audi acknowledged the security challenges in Ebonyi and reaffirmed the Corps’ mandate to protect critical national assets and infrastructure, regulate private security, and secure mining zones.
Audi disclosed that the Corps has shut down over 600 illegal mining sites nationwide, arrested more than 500 suspects, including foreign nationals who are currently facing prosecution.
The Commandant-General, further cited the killings of NSCDC operatives essentially the recent killing of eight officers in Edo State during a rescue operation involving foreign nationals remains a major challenge facing its operations.
During the visit, Governor Nwifuru also inaugurated Saint Francis Chapel, a newly constructed worship centre at the NSCDC State Command Headquarters, initiated and completed by the State Commandant, Mr. Francis Nnadi.
The aims was to promote ethical conduct, spiritual discipline, and support for the governor’s developmental agenda in the state.
