The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has detained several of its officers following allegations of extorting the sum of ₦5.2 million from citizens under the guise of official operations. The development has triggered widespread concern over corruption and abuse of power within the paramilitary agency tasked with protecting critical infrastructure and enforcing civil laws.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, the Corps confirmed the arrest of the implicated personnel, who were said to have conspired to extort unsuspecting members of the public during a purported enforcement operation in Lagos State.
“We have zero tolerance for any form of misconduct, especially one that tarnishes the image of the Corps. The affected officers have been taken into custody and a thorough investigation is ongoing,” Afolabi stated.
According to preliminary findings, the accused officers allegedly posed as part of a task force to inspect business premises for compliance with environmental and operational regulations. During the exercise, they reportedly demanded bribes from business owners and collected payments totaling ₦5.2 million under threats of arrest and closure of their establishments.
Victims Speak Out
Several victims who reported the case to civil rights groups and media outlets narrated similar experiences of intimidation and coercion. One of the victims, a supermarket owner in the Ikeja area, claimed the officers showed up in uniform with official-looking documents and claimed they had orders to inspect and possibly shut down non-compliant businesses.
“They came with authority and made us believe they were on an official mission. After checking our premises, they started making allegations of violations. They demanded ₦500,000 to ‘settle’ the case,” the victim recounted.
Another business owner said he was taken to a remote location where he was forced to make a bank transfer of over ₦700,000 before he was released.
“They threatened to arrest me and publish my name for tax evasion if I didn’t comply. Out of fear and confusion, I paid,” he said.
Following mounting complaints, whistleblowers contacted human rights activists and legal advocates, who in turn reached out to the NSCDC headquarters, prompting swift internal action.
NSCDC’s Response and Ongoing Investigation
Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Audi, has ordered a full-scale probe into the matter, vowing that any officer found culpable will face the full weight of the law. He assured Nigerians that the Corps remains committed to discipline, integrity, and accountability.
“This institution will not be a safe haven for corrupt officers. The few bad eggs among us will not be allowed to tarnish the hard-earned reputation of the NSCDC,” said Dr. Audi.
He also directed the Internal Disciplinary Committee (IDC) to expedite its investigation and forward its findings to the appropriate authorities, including anti-graft agencies like the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Public Reactions
The scandal has sparked outrage among members of the public and civil society organizations, many of whom see the incident as part of a wider pattern of abuse by security personnel.
The Centre for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption (CHURAC) commended the NSCDC for responding quickly but called for greater transparency in the investigation process.
“We commend the leadership of the NSCDC for detaining the officers, but justice must be seen to be done. The names of those involved should be made public and victims should be compensated,” said CHURAC’s national coordinator, Mr. Festus Eke.
On social media, Nigerians expressed frustration over recurring reports of extortion by security agents, with many urging President Bola Tinubu’s administration to carry out a broad reform of all paramilitary and law enforcement agencies.
“Every year, we hear of extortion scandals, yet nothing really changes. We need stronger oversight and citizen protection mechanisms,” tweeted @JusticeNigeria, a prominent civil rights advocate.
A Pattern of Misconduct?
While the NSCDC is generally regarded as one of the more disciplined security outfits, this latest incident has once again drawn attention to internal lapses and the need for systemic reform.
Analysts note that extortion cases involving security personnel often go unpunished or are quietly settled behind closed doors, thereby eroding public trust in institutions meant to uphold the law.
Security affairs analyst Dr. Hassan Bako said:
“Without accountability, impunity thrives. This case must not end in internal panels alone. If these officers indeed extorted citizens, they must be prosecuted in open court.”
NSCDC Promises Reforms
In response to growing public scrutiny, the NSCDC has pledged to introduce stronger monitoring mechanisms and citizen feedback channels. The Corps said it will also conduct a nationwide audit of its enforcement units and retrain operatives on ethics and human rights.
“This is a turning point. We must learn, correct, and rebuild. Our commitment to national service must be reflected in the behavior of every officer,” Dr. Audi said.
As the investigation progresses, Nigerians await further details, hoping that this case marks a genuine effort to clean up the ranks and restore integrity in public service.
