The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has donated helmets and bullet proof vests to the Agro Rangers unit of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) operating in the North East.
Presenting the items at a ceremony in Maiduguri, on Friday, the Managing Director of NEDC, Mr Mohammed Alkali, said the gesture was based on the recognition of the active role of the NSCDC in the area of security, particularly the agro rangers in protecting farmers.
Alkali noted that in June this year, the commission provided training for the agro-rangers and other personnel of the corps on intelligence gathering.
The NEDC managing director said the commission would also fulfil its promised to construct outposts for the corps in Borno and Yobe states, whenever the locations were provided.
Also speaking, the Executive Director, Humanitarian Affairs of NEDC, Mr Musa Yashi, who noted the sustained support extended by the commission to the NSCDC and other security agencies in the north east, reiterated the commission’s commitment to sustain the efforts in line with its mandate.
Receiving the items made up of 230 helmets and 230 bullet proof vests, the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Mr Ahmed Audi, lauded the commission for its sustained support to the Corps.
Audi, who was represented by the Assistant Commandant General in Charge of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, Mr Andy Dateer, said the development was an additional boost to the corps, in its efforts to deliver on its assigned tasks.
“This gesture by the NEDC is a manifestation of your avowed commitment towards strengthening the capacity of the corps to effectively tackle the menace of insecurity.
”In addition to reducing to the barest minimum the incidence of criminal attacks on farmers and farmlands as we collaborate to safeguard the agro-allied sector in our collective determination to guarantee food security in the country.
“I want to assure you that the donated operational equipment would be effectively and judiciously utilized for the purpose they are meant to serve,” Audi said.
