* Muhammadu 
A civil society and pro-human rights organization, Centre for Media Advocacy (CMA) has applauded the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)'s Commandant-General,  Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, for  the Corp's renewed vigour in crime reduction,  pointing to the recent clamp down on  armed robberies, kidnappings, and  check mating of vandalisation  of critical national assets across the length and breadth of the country.

CMA's  reaction is coming in response to the recent capture of over N72 million worth of drugs suspected to be cannabis (marijuana) seized from the Seme-Topo Badagry axis of Lagos State, where suspected bags of Indian hemp smuggled by a syndicate were apprehended by men and officers of the Corps on normal routine patrol based on intelligence report.

The organization’s Executive Director, Comrade D. Esumobi and the Director of Media, Comrade Gabriel  Gwajime in a statement applauded the NSCDC boss following the counter-mechanism put in place by the leadership to reduce the menace of drug sales, consumption and addiction in the country.

They commended the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu,  for giving marching orders and directives to state commandants to re-jig their operations or face the wrath of the leadership and called on all sister agencies to support and work together for intelligence gathering to effectively curb the menace of street urchins, banditry and vandalism.

The CMA affirmed that the situation was saved by the swift response and timely intervention and interception of the boat by men of the marine unit of the civil defence.  The 20 big bags of Indian hemp worth over N72 million being brought into the country to boost the consumption of illegal substance and drug and its addiction by Nigerians was averted. While commending the officers for risking their lives at the high sea between Nigeria and Togo axis to combat smuggling, echoing that some of the suspected smugglers jumped into the sea on sighting operatives of the corps for fear of being arrested to face prosecution. However, NSCDC has assured that investigations are on-going to unravel and determine the veracity of the cargo owners and buyers and the final destination of the smugglers. This, they reason, will avert future occurrences and punish the culprit.

CMA therefore enjoins well-meaning Nigerians and sister agencies to work hand-in-hand with the NSCDC so as to rid the country of criminal elements and emphasize the need for intelligence gathering, co-operation between sister-agencies as well as called on Nigerians to always give information to security agencies so as to reduce the menace of criminals in our midst. As according to them, the security of lives and property of Nigerians cannot be left in the hands of the security agencies alone, but the responsibility of all and sundry.