Ahmed Audi, commandant-general of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, has charged commandants to upscale agro-ranching operations in their commands.

Mr Audi gave the charge during his second quarter meeting with senior officers of the NSCDC on Friday in Abuja.

He urged them to work on the agro-rangers unit in their various formations to ensure food security across the country.

The agro-rangers unit of the NSCDC was established to ensure safety of farmlands as well as settlement of farmers/herders clashes.

“You must provide safety and security for farmers and other agro-allied investments in the nation, as food security is paramount.

“We have to be seen practically taking up the job of giving farmers protection in order to experience a boost of farming activities,” Mr Audi said.

In a bid to tackle illegal mining activities across the nation, Mr Audi inaugurated six zonal mining marshal commanders that are saddled with working closely with state heads.

“We are trying to decentralise mining operations, so these officers are to be in charge of mining of various geopolitical zones and are to work closely with state commands under the zones before enforcing arrests,” he said.

According to Mr Audi, President Bola Tinubu, through interior minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, urged officers to continue to offer their best to the service of the nation.

“Despite all the challenges faced by the corps, we have tried to carve a niche for ourselves through performance, hence the need for tempo sustenance or more results,” he  stated.

He, however, sympathised with friends, colleagues and families of personnel who had lost their lives in active service.

He urged personnel to give more attention to the conflicts faced by the country and brace up, being the lead agency in the protection of Critical National Asset and Infrastructure.

(NAN)