The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Lagos State commandant, Adedotun Keshinro, said the command made significant progress in carrying out its statutory duties in 2025.

Mr Keshinro said this during a review of the command’s activities in 2025 on Wednesday in Lagos.

The NSCDC commandant said that the command’s proactive measures in safeguarding key facilities such as power plants, pipelines, telecommunications networks and transportation hub contributed to improved security and stability across the country.

He explained that in 2025, the Lagos State command engaged security experts, companies and other stakeholders, and also launched grassroots initiatives at various forums to protect national infrastructure.

He noted that the launch of a statewide grassroots engagement to protect Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) would cover the command’s 50 divisions.

Mr Keshinro explained that the initiative was an implementation of the 2024 CNAI National Protection Policy and Strategy approved by President Bola Tinubu.

The commandant further disclosed that the engagement began with a coordination summit directed by the Office of the National Security Adviser.

He said the corps was tasked to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to safeguard assets and infrastructure critical to national safety, stability, and economic wellbeing.

He added that divisional officers were directed to cascade the engagement to grassroots stakeholders to curb vandalism and other security threats.

Mr Keshinro also revealed that the Lagos State command received a 150-watt engine capacity speedboat to enhance its ability to curb the activities of illegal dredgers across the state.

He stated that the speedboat was donated by the ministry of works to assist the command in tackling illegal dredging activities along Lagos waterways.

According to him, the boat will also strengthen maritime security and environmental protection in the state.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Ijora GRA Estate, Peter Mkenchor, commended the federal government during the inauguration of the boat, describing the donation as a welcome development.

Mr Mkenchor stated that the community had previously been terrorised by sea pirates, noting that no such incidents had occurred in the last five years due to the presence of NSCDC personnel.

He appealed for the provision of a proper jetty, stressing that speedboats should not be tied to private facilities.

Mr Keshinro further said that during the year under review, the Lagos State command displayed over six thousand litres of premium motor spirit (PMS) recovered from smugglers in the Badagry area of Lagos State.

He warned vandals and illegal dredgers in the state to desist from such acts while parading the suspects.

Mr Keshinro stated that, in line with the vision of the commandant general of the NSCDC, Ahmed Audi, the Lagos State command embraced the deployment of the three Cs—collaboration, cooperation, and coordination.

He explained that these principles guided strategic actions by the command to curb illegal activities perpetrated by vandals and economic saboteurs across the state.

He added that the command recorded milestones through its recent successful operations.

Mr Keshinro stated that on November 7, operatives of the Badagry Division, led by its Divisional Officer, Chief Superintendent of Corps, Ekunola Gbenga, acted swiftly after receiving credible and actionable intelligence on the illicit activities of some unscrupulous elements.

He further explained that other improved efforts by the Lagos State Command of the NSCDC to protect national infrastructure included enhanced collaboration, increased public confidence, technological adoption, capacity building, the Safe School Initiative, VIP protection and the quarterly public relations clinic.

Mr Keshinro added that overall in 2025, the NSCDC’s sustained focus on protecting critical national infrastructure significantly reduced disruptions, safeguarded economic assets and strengthened national security in Nigeria.
(NAN)