The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has redeployed 60 officers of Akwa Ibom origin from the state command to various commands across Nigeria, including several states in the North.
The development has triggered complaints among some of the affected personnel, who questioned the timing and conditions attached to the transfers.
The redeployments were contained in three separate signals identified as 1083 AKWA-CL, 1084 AKWA-CL and 1085 AKWA.
The signals were approved by the NSCDC Commandant-General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, and signed on his behalf by Musa Farouk B.K.
A fourth signal also redeployed 19 officers from Kwara State to Akwa Ibom, bringing the total number of officers affected by the four signals to 79.
The affected Akwa Ibom personnel include officers across various ranks, including Assistant Superintendent of Corps I (ASCI), Superintendent of Corps (SC), Deputy Superintendent of Corps (DSC), Chief Superintendent of Corps (CSC), Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) and Deputy Commandant of Corps (DCC).
Their new postings include Niger, Katsina, Bauchi, Jigawa, Gombe, Kaduna, Taraba, Adamawa, Kebbi, Sokoto, Kano and Yobe, among other states.
Personnel Raise Concerns
Some of the affected officers have questioned the basis for the redeployments, particularly the instruction that the movements should take immediate effect.
They are also concerned that the transfers reportedly come without financial benefits to cover transportation and relocation expenses.
Personnel quoted in reports said they did not request the transfers and would have to bear the cost of travelling and settling in their new locations.
Some also expressed concerns about travelling to areas affected by insecurity, as well as the additional cost of accommodation and relocation.
One affected officer alleged that the redeployment originated from the administration department following an intervention by the Akwa Ibom State Commandant, Geraldine Sixtus Abetianbe.
However, the allegation has not been independently established and cannot be treated as a confirmed explanation for the redeployments.
Some affected personnel also alleged that a significant proportion of those transferred are Akwa Ibom indigenes who have spent several years serving in the state command.
They described the pattern as possible victimisation, although that allegation has not been independently verified.
NSCDC Confirms Redeployment
The NSCDC Akwa Ibom Command spokesperson, SC Friday Ekerette, confirmed that he had seen the transfer signals issued by the Corps’ National Headquarters.
Ekerette said NSCDC personnel are governed by the Public Service Rules and other applicable regulations guiding postings and deployments within the Corps.
The development has nevertheless generated concern among some affected officers, particularly over the financial implications and the distances involved in their new postings.
