Awka
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, has warned officers attached to VIP protection duties to strictly comply with operational guidelines, respect human rights, and avoid illegal assignments that could endanger themselves or the dignitaries they protect.
The State Commandant, Commandant Maku Olatunde, issued the warning during a one-day refresher course for leaders of the Command’s VIP and Beat units held at the State Command Headquarters in Awka.
Addressing the officers, Olatunde said close protection duties require professionalism, sound judgment, vigilance, and strict adherence to the Corps’ rules of engagement, standard operating procedures, and service orders.
He stressed that VIP protection officers must be adequately trained and adaptable to respond effectively to today’s evolving security challenges, noting that modern close protection operations demand a high level of operational competence.
According to him, the training covered critical aspects of VIP security, including threat assessment, protective formations, route planning, convoy drills, surveillance detection, defensive tactics, and emergency response procedures.
The Commandant also reminded personnel of their oath of secrecy and urged them to remain security-conscious while on duty.
He warned officers against accepting unauthorized or illegal duties capable of exposing them or their principals to unnecessary risks, adding that any operative found violating the Corps’ code of conduct or operational guidelines would face disciplinary action.
Earlier, the Second-in-Command of the Command, Deputy Commandant of Corps (DCC) Prominence Ukaobi, said the refresher course would strengthen the operational effectiveness of officers across their various beats and areas of responsibility.
Also speaking, the Officer-in-Charge of the Beat and VIP Unit, Superintendent of Corps Toochukwu Umeohana, described the training as another step in the Command’s drive to expand specialised paramilitary training.
He urged participants to maximise the opportunity to sharpen their professional skills, noting that the changing security landscape demands well-equipped and highly adaptable close protection operatives.
