High command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), has announced the approval by the Civil Defence, Corrections, Fire and Immigration Board (CDCFIB), to discipline a total of 31 officers and men of the Corps involved in various degrees of offences.

Commandants General of the Corps, Associate Professor Ahmed Audi said in a communique after a management meeting at the headquarters of the corps, that 15 personnel were dismissed from the service, 9 others are to go on compulsory retirement while 7 more are to go on suspension.

He said the remaining two of the 31, are to each face interdiction and demotion respectively.

The communique signed by the Public Relations Officer, (PRO), of the Corps Olusola Odumosu, Monday in Abuja, noted that the disciplinary action was taken for offences ranging from extortion and forgery, job racketeering and conspiracy among others.

The CG said the agency is not going to tolerate indiscipline among officers and reiterated his determination not to allow errant officers to portray the corps in a bad light under his leadership.

The actions of the erring personnel made it imperative to invoke internal disciplinary mechanisms by setting up disciplinary committees which carried out investigations and orderly room trials for various offences and spelt out recommendations of different sanctions to the Board for approval, he explained.

“Consequently, 31 officers and men involved in different acts deemed unbecoming of personnel of the Corps are to face different sanctions.

“Among them, 15 are dismissed from service, nine (9) are to face compulsory retirement, seven (7) were given suspension while the remaining two are to face interdiction and demotion respectively.

“The board also approved the interdiction of an Inspector of Corps (IC) and demotion of one (1) other Inspector of Corps (IC). The 31 affected personnel were sanctioned for offences ranging from job racketeering, conspiracy, extortion, forgery, absence without leave (AWOL), dishonesty, and economic sabotage among others among others,” the statement contained.

It continued, “Following the disgraceful conduct of the concerned officers, the Commandant General has called on all personnel to uphold the Corps’ Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Code of Ethics, discipline and adherence to Public Service Rules.”

The breakdown of the officers indicates that among the numbers dismissed includes one (1) ASC1, two (2) CCA, three (3) AIC, three (3) CA111, two ( 2) CA11, one (1) CA1, one (1) IC and one (1) AIC face dismissal and prosecution. The suspended officers include two (2) Deputy Commandants of the Corps, three (3) Assistant Commandants of the Corps, one (1) Assistant Superintendent of Corps ASCII and one (1) CAII.

Audi promised to reward officers and men who excel in their various assignments as a motivation for good conduct and dedication to service.

He said the sanctions meted out to erring personnel should serve as a deterrent to others as unethical conduct will not be condoned in the Corps.