Updated: NSCDC returns Rep. Shina Peller’s security aides

After a public backlash for withdrawing the security aides of Rep. Shina Peller, the agency back pedalled Thursday by reinstating them.

In a statement by Odumosu Olusola, director of public relations, the agency said the withdrawal of the security aides was unauthorised.

“The leadership of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has dismissed as unauthorised and without recourse to the Corps constituted authority, a letter signed and sent to a Member of the House of Representatives, Hon Shima Peller, informing him of the withdrawal of officials of the NSCDC assigned to him.

“Not only did the officer in question lacked(sic) the power to do such, he was also found to have acted on his whims without clearance.

“The Commandant General, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, has therefore directed a reinstatement of the withdrawn officers with a compliment of necessary courtesies to the Honourable Member”.

The 2 February letter withdrawing the security aides emanated from Ibadan, in the Oyo State command.

It was signed by the head of administration, Sotito Igbalawole.

He said he was executing the order of the Commandant General and that the men were being deployed for urgent national security assignment.

Rep Peller drew the anger of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) after he introduced a bill proposing to merge it with the Nigeria Police Force.

The proposed legislation was titled National Security And Civil Defence Corps (Repeal and Transition) Bill 2022, which passed the first reading on the floor of the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

The Bill seeks to repeal the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (Amendment) Act 2007, establish a transition management committee to superintend over the NSCDC, develop regulations and implement procedures for the transfer of assets and personnel of the corps to the Nigeria Police, and other related matters.