The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has trained 106 personnel in intensive pistol management and firearms handling as part of efforts to enhance professionalism, improve operational effectiveness and prevent accidental discharge of weapons.
The two-week capacity-building programme, held at the command headquarters in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, was designed to strengthen officers’ proficiency in firearm handling and reinforce compliance with standard operational procedures in the protection of critical national assets, lives and property.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony during the command’s Monday muster parade, FCT Commandant Dr. Olusola Odumosu emphasized the corps’ zero-tolerance stance on negligence in the handling of firearms, warning that accidental discharge constitutes a serious breach of professional conduct.
According to him, officers must remain accountable for their actions and demonstrate the highest standards of professionalism while carrying out their duties.
“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,” he said.
Odumosu further reminded personnel that their primary responsibility is to protect citizens and national assets, not to intimidate members of the public. He urged officers to exercise restraint, adhere strictly to established rules of engagement and conduct themselves professionally in all situations.
“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,” he stated.
The commandant commended the Commandant-General of the NSCDC for approving the training programme, noting that continuous personnel development remains critical to the corps’ mandate of safeguarding critical national infrastructure and enhancing public safety.
He also urged the graduating officers to remain disciplined, resilient and committed to placing national interest and the integrity of the corps above personal considerations.
The training covered both theoretical and practical aspects of 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.
Certificates were presented to the participants at the end of the programme, marking the successful completion of another capacity-building initiative aimed at strengthening professionalism and operational readiness within the FCT Command.
