By Valentine Amanze
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has denied media reports linking its officers to the rift between security personnel in Benin, the Edo State capital, at the weekend.
A soldier, who was not wearing face mask and also on mufti, was allegedly assaulted by the police in Benin on Saturday during the ongoing enforcement of lockdown order by the state government as part of the measures by the government to contain the spread of the coronavirus in the state.
In a statement by the Media Assistant to the Commandant General, Ekunola Gbenga, NSCDC denied involvement of any of its personnel in the incident, insisting that the rift was between the police and soldiers.
It explained: “To set the record straight, there is no Civil Defence officer that is involved in the unfortunate incident among the security men in Benin-City between 1pm and 1:30pm at the popular Lagos Street/Oba Market Street junction in downtown Benin.
“The allegation is false and a calculated attempt to smear the image of the Corps and existing synergy between Corps and Nigeria Army.
“There has been talks that the security agencies don’t get along. That is not the case between Civil Defence and Nigerian Army, both agencies have the same spirit, the spirit of defending the country.”
The outfit also disclosed that its Commandant General, Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, had warned the personnel not to carry arms during Covid-19 lockdown/ curfew enforcement, stressing that the order is being adhere to nationwide.
While stating that the commandant general appreciated media outfits in the country for collaborating with the Corps in discharging its duty, it advised journalists to work in line with the ethics of the profession, part of which required the publishing of only verified and accurate stories in order not to mislead the general public.
Besides, the Commandant General has directed a full-scale investigation into the matter.