By Janet Oyeleye
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Command, has trained 106 personnel in intensive pistol management as part of efforts to strengthen professionalism, improve operational efficiency, and prevent accidental discharge of firearms.
The two-week training programme, held at the command’s headquarters in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, focused on enhancing officers’ competence in firearm handling and reinforcing adherence to standard operational procedures for the protection of critical national assets, lives, and property.
Addressing the officers at the graduation ceremony during the command’s Monday muster parade, the FCT Commandant, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, declared that the corps has zero tolerance for negligence in the handling of firearms. He warned that accidental discharge amounts to serious professional misconduct.
“In the NSCDC, we do not condone accidental discharge. It is the height of professional misconduct and we do not take such misconduct lightly. You must be accountable and ensure professionalism at all times.”
Odumosu also reminded the officers that their responsibility is to safeguard citizens, not intimidate them. He stressed the need for restraint and strict adherence to rules of engagement.
“The public is not our enemy. You must observe the rules of engagement, act with restraint, and remember that you are deployed to protect lives and infrastructure, not to intimidate citizens.”
The commandant commended the Commandant-General of the corps for approving the training, noting that continuous capacity development remains central to the NSCDC’s mandate of securing critical national infrastructure and enhancing public safety.
He further urged the officers to remain disciplined, resilient, and committed to placing the interests of the corps and the nation above personal considerations.
The participants received practical and theoretical instruction on weapon safety, marksmanship, tactical firearm handling, and the ethical use of force in line with global best practices and the NSCDC’s Standard Operating Procedures, SOPs.
Certificates were presented to the graduates at the end of the training, marking the completion of another capacity-building initiative aimed at deepening professionalism and operational readiness within the FCT Command.
