The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oyo command, has inaugurated 75 female personnel into the Armed Special Squad to tackle insecurity in schools and other areas of the state.

The NSCDC Commandant General, Ahmed Audi, while inaugurating the squad on Tuesday in Ibadan, urged them to assist in stemming the tide of insecurity in the state and Nigeria in general.

Mr Audi, represented by NSCDC Assistant Commandant General, Sheni Obafaiye, said the female armed squad stood as hope for the corps at reducing the series of security challenges facing the country.

He said the female officers were specially trained to tackle insecurity in the country, urging them to put in their best to maintain peace in the society.

Earlier, the NSCDC Commandant in Oyo State, Micheal Adaralewa, said the mission of the commandant general for creating the squad was to rejig and revamp the corps in response to security challenges.

Mr Adaralewa said the female squad would serve as Tactical Swift Response Squad to provide security in schools across the federation.

According to him, they will also assist to stem the tide of kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, among others.

He said the female squad were selected from different departments for the task, adding that they had undergone six months training.

“There is no gain saying the fact that Oyo State is having its share of insecurity as a state in Nigeria, and this posed a great threat to the educational sector and future of innocent children.

“You will agree with me that there is no better time for intervention like the Female Combantant Squad of NSCDC in Oyo State than now.

“Now is the time to reinforce the security architecture of the state, now is the time for enhanced synergy among security forces and law enforcement agencies.

“All stakeholders must rise and engage every means to mitigate the threat to our collective peace and progress,” Mr Adaralewa said.

Governor Seyi Makinde, represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, promised continuous support to the corps to collectively wage war against security challenges in the state.

(NAN)