Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) is a paramilitary institution in Nigeria that was first introduced in May 2003 by the Nigerian Government.

Duties 
The primary function of the NSCDC is to protect lives and properties in conjunction with Nigeria police. One of the crucial function of the Corps is to protect pipelines from vandalism. The agency is also involved in crisis resolutions.

Many states now recognise the impact of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps with continuous collaboration to ensure maximum security.

Powers 
The Corps is empowered to institute legal proceedings of the Attorney General in accordance with the provisions of the constitution against any person or persons suspected to have committed an offence, maintain an armed squad in order to bear fire arms among others to strengthen the corps in the discharge of its statutory duties.

History

Origins 
The NSCDC was first introduced in May 1967 during the Nigerian Civil War within the then Federal Capital Territory of Lagos for the purpose of sensitization and protection of the civil populace. It was then known as Lagos Civil Defence Committee.

It later metamorphosed into the present day NSCDC in 1970. On inception, the Corps had the objective of carrying out some educational and enlightenment campaigns in and around the Federal Capital of Lagos to sensitize members of the civil populace on enemy attacks and how to save themselves from danger as most Nigerians living in and around Lagos territory then had little or no knowledge about war and its implications. Members of the Committee deemed it important to educate through electronic and print media on how to guide themselves during air raids, bomb attacks, identify bombs and how to dive into trenches during bomb blast.

In 1984, the Corps was transformed into a National security outfit and in 1988, there was a major re-structuring of the Corps that led to the establishment of Commands throughout the Federation, including Abuja, and the addition of special functions by the Federal Government.

Statutory backing 
On 28 June 2003, an act to give statutory backing to the NSCDC passed by the National Assembly was signed into law by President Olusegun Obasanjo. The act was amended in 2007 to enhance the statutory duties of the corp.

Organization structure 

 Commandant General's Office

Directorates 

 Directorate of Administration
 Directorate of Disaster Management
 Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation
 Directorate of Operations
 Directorate of Technical Service
 Directorate of Critical Infrastructure and National Assets

Zones 

 Zone A
 Lagos State Command

 Zone B
 Kaduna State Command
 Kano State Command
 Katsina State Command
 Jigawa State Command

 Zone C

 Zone D
 Niger State Command
 Zamfara State Command
 Sokoto State Command
 Kebbi State Command
 Kwara State Command
 Zone E
 Imo State Command
 Abia State Command
 Akwa Ibom Command
 Cross River State Command
 Ebonyi State Command
 Enugu State Command
 Rivers State Command
 Zone F
 Ogun State Command
 Osun State Command
 Ekiti State Command
 Ondo State Command
 Oyo State Command
 Zone G
 Edo State Command
 Anambra State Command
 Delta State Command
 Bayelsa State Command
 Zone H
 Benue State Command
 Nassarawa State Command
 Plateau State Command
 Taraba State Command
 Kogi State Command

Institutions 

 Civil Ddefence Academy, Sauka
 College of Peace and Disaster Management, Katsina
 College of Security Management, Ogun State

Commandant-General 
The Commandant-General is the professional head of the NSCDC. The title has existed since 2004. The role is held by a General who is assisted by a Deputy Commandant General and a Assistant Commandant General.

List of Commandants-General 
 Abiola Aturamu (2004-2005)
 Adewale John Abolurin (2005-2015)
 Abdullahi Gana Mahammadu (2015-February 2021)
 Ahmed Abubakar Audi (since February 2021)

Ranks 
Officers

Other ranks

See also 

 National Guard of Russia
 Internal Troops
 National Gendarmerie
 Civil Guard (Spain)
 People's Armed Police

References

External links 
 Official Website

Military of Nigeria
Government agencies established in 2003
Federal law enforcement agencies of Nigeria
Emergency services in Nigeria