By  DAUD OLATUNJI
ABEOKUTA—The Commandant-General,  Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC,  Dr. Ade Abolurin, has  said that the outfit has commenced the necessary training of its officers towards eliminating  indiscriminate killing of innocent people, through accidental discharge, as the corps begins carrying  of fire arms.

Abolurin stated this yesterday  in Abeokuta, adding that, efficiency and maximum utilisation of   fire arms by security personnel, without  accidental killings, could only be achieved through man power and capacity building.

The National Assembly recently  passed the bill which empowers NSCDC officers  to carry fire arms.

Reacting to the fears that the officers might misuse arms as a result of  inexperience, the Commandant-General  said: “We are trying to guide against it to avoid the unnecessary shooting of fellow Nigerians who did not commit an offence.

He said: “We have embarked upon capacity building with  a view to  ensuring that we have credible officers who will be able to utilise it more effectively to correct the mistake of  the past, which usually occurs  as a result of what people described as accidental discharge.

“The fact of the  case is that training and re-training  programme has  to do  with the  determination  to ensure that you come out the  best, you show case to the entire people that you know the job you are assigned to do.”

He urged  corps that, their  ultimate target   should  not be to kill, but, to ensure “protection  of yourself, protection of the citizens, protection of infrastructure and  national territory.”

On Pipeline vandalism, Abolurin said the rate  has  practically  reduced. Saying that,”our inclusion into Joint Task Force, JTF, has also brought   a lot  of differences in view of the fact that we now work together  through collaboration  and cooperation.  I  am sure we are getting towards the end of vandalism especially in the area of oil industry.”