The heads of security agencies in Ondo State have given the assurance to ensure the safety of prospective corps members under the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, scheme, deployed to the state.
They spoke separately when they received in audience, NYSC coordinator in the state, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani, at their different commands.
The security chiefs promised to enhance their visibility around the orientation camp as well as Corpers’ Lodges in all the 18 local government areas that make up the state.
At the headquarters of the 32 Artillery Brigade, Owena Cantonment, Akure, the newly posted Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Yakubu Yahaya, said that NYSC was a creation of the Nigerian Army and would remain a treasure to the military.
He said his command had the capacity for intelligence gathering and at the same time improve the security network in all the nooks and crannies of the state.
Yahaya asserted that the security architecture of the military formation had been enhanced by the Nigerian Army authorities to confront the several security threats the country is presently facing.
“I want to assure you that we are on top of security situation in the land…
“Please, you need to tell your staff and corps members to take their personal security as priority. By our arrangement, they might experience little inconveniences during the orientation course but I want to say that it is for their own good ultimately,” he said.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Bolaji Amidu Salami, said that protection of lives and properties were some of the core mandates of his command.
“NYSC and Nigeria Police Force are children of the same parent and the bond between the two federal institutions is so strong that priority attention is always accorded the scheme at all times,” he said.
He described corps members as distinguished members of the society because of their roles in nation building and the Nigeria Police will continue to invest in their security.
The State Director of Security, Department of State Services, Mr. Abdulrasheed Adediran, described corps members as the future of the country and as such would be protected from all forms of security threats.
He maintained that the Service was always working assiduously to protect and defend the Federal Republic of Nigeria against domestic threats.
Adediran said his command in conjunction with other security agencies would continue to ensure the safety of corps members serving not only in the state but the nation as a whole.
The Commander of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Edenabu Okoro Eweka, assured the state coordinator that there would be no breach in the protection of corps members.
“In all honesty, NYSC has laudable programmes and for the scheme to remain at the front burner of government operations, we must keep an eagle eye on those who drive the process and this is what we have continuously been doing.”
He said that the hands of fellowship extended to the erstwhile state coordinator, Mr. Grace Akpabio, would be extended to Ani.
The security chiefs allayed the fears of the NYSC boss over the communal clash that recently erupted at Ikare Akoko where the camp is located.
Ani paid the courtesy call on the security chiefs to solicit their support for her administration and help to beef up security around the members of the service corps especially those that would be coming for service in Ondo State.
Ani thanked them for the quality of officers and men sent to complement the NYSC staff during successive orientation courses.
While appreciating them for the warm reception accorded her, Ani solicited for continued assistance to the scheme.
