NSCDC moves for technology-driven operations to tackle vandalism, theft of CNAI

From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja

The Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, has called for a deliberate shift from ad-hoc and reactive approaches to the protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) to a standardised, intelligence-led and technology-driven operational doctrine.

Odumosu made the call while declaring closed, a 2-day intensive training on the doctrinal ownership of protecting Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI), organised for area commanders, divisional officers and other personnel at the FCT Command, Abuja.

Speaking through the command’s 2ic, Deputy Controller of Corps (DCC), Tijani Usman, who represented the commandant at the event, he described the protection of CNAI as a national duty rather than merely an operational assignment, stressing that infrastructure such as power grids, pipelines, railways, telecommunication facilities, water treatment plants, airports and government institutions constitute the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, governance and national security.

The commandant noted that the vandalism, sabotage or compromise of such infrastructure has far-reaching consequences for citizens and the national economy, including disruption of healthcare and education services; loss of business productivity and erosion of public confidence.

“Doctrinal ownership requires the protection of CNAI to move from fragmented and reactive practices to a deliberate, standardised and professionally-owned system in which every officer and relevant stakeholder understands, believes in and implements the established security doctrine”, he said.

Odumosu identified four key pillars upon which effective CNAI protection should be anchored: prevention through intelligence; physical security and technology integration; stakeholder synergy and collaboration; and prosecution and deterrence.

On intelligence, the commandant emphasised the importance of early warning systems, community engagement, private security intelligence and technical surveillance in identifying threats before they materialise.

He also called for greater integration of modern technology into physical security operations, noting that conventional measures such as gates, fences and patrols must be complemented by CCTV systems, sensors, drones and digital incident-reporting platforms to effectively confront contemporary security threats.