The Edo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has refuted allegations that its officers were involved in the death of a Bolt driver in Benin.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, the command’s spokesperson, SC Efosa Egbebor, clarified that the officers in question were merely assisting the police with their investigation.

The denial follows the arrest of four NSCDC officers by the state police command, a move that came after Bolt drivers staged a protest over the driver’s death on Thursday.

Egbebor insisted that preliminary findings by the NSCDC at the command level indicated that its officers had no role in the tragic incident.

“Our boys did not kill anybody. The case is before the police, and we cannot be a judge in our own case,” he stated.

He explained that the incident stemmed from a verbal dispute between the Bolt driver and a customer at a hotel, which later escalated into a physical confrontation.

“The driver, who was allegedly beaten by the customer and his friends, later died,” Egbebor said.

According to him, NSCDC officers stationed at the hotel only intervened to restore order and did not harm the driver.

“We have sent our boys to the police to give them the necessary information they needed. We are cooperating fully with the police investigation,” he added.

Egbebor also dismissed reports that NSCDC officers were arrested, explaining that they voluntarily presented themselves to the police to aid the inquiry.

He emphasized that the NSCDC would not tolerate any form of misconduct and assured that due process would be followed.

“After the investigation has been concluded, we will know who and who went wrong. We are not going to back anybody or support anybody for any illegality.

“Whoever has broken the law will face the wrath of the law. That’s justice,” he said.

Stakeholders in northern Nigeria have applauded President Bola Tinubu’s directive to the military to end banditry and insecurity by the end of 2025, describing it as a necessary step toward restoring peace and stability.

The Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, who announced the directive recently, assured that the military would sustain its aggressive operations against criminal elements.

“The bandits are now on the run, but the military will not rest until we end this thing. The president has given us marching orders to end insecurity in every part of our country by the end of this year.

“The Chief of Defence Staff and the National Security Adviser are working day and night to actualize that target. As you have seen, we are putting pressure on all the theatre operations,” Badaru said.

Citizens across the North-East and North-West welcomed the development, stating that insecurity remains a major obstacle to progress, particularly in food security and economic activities.

A Borno-based farmer, Abubakar Ibrahim, said the presidential order gave hope for a return to normalcy. He stressed the need for a massive military push to clear insurgents from the Lake Chad region, which is crucial for all-year-round farming.

“We are happy a deadline of December is given. There’s always a need for a timetable to get things done. Rehabilitation, reconstruction, and resettlement programmes are ongoing in Borno, but we still face challenges from remnants of terrorists that need to be cleared,” Ibrahim said.

In Adamawa, former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ahmad Sajoh, also commended the presidential order, emphasizing its potential to restore economic activities.

“It is indeed very comforting to hear the Commander-in-Chief issue a direct order to the troops. Flushing out bandits has multiple benefits, including the restoration of productive activities such as farming and trading. That is the real import of the President’s directives.

“While expressing total support for this bold decision, it is also necessary to advise that the President should equally give another directive for the non-kinetic component of the fight against banditry and insurgency. A robust public enlightenment campaign should accompany this renewed onslaught,” Sajoh said.

In Zamfara, residents of Shinkafi Local Government, including Salisu Tunga and Aminu Bello, praised recent military gains but urged for intensified operations.

“Bandits are still harassing some communities in Shinkafi, raising the need for more intense military operations to complete the job. Up to now, travellers need military escort in areas like Dansadau, Magami, Dangulbi, Zurmi, Kauran Namoda, Shinkafi, Moriki, Maradun, and Maru,” Tunga said.

He further lamented that some communities in Tsafe, Zurmi, and Bukkuyum LGAs were still being forced to pay levies to bandits, stressing the need for decisive action.

In Kebbi, the Deputy Governor, Sen. Umar Tafida, confirmed that bandits were infiltrating from neighbouring states and Niger Republic but assured that security measures were in place to counter the threats.

The Director in charge of Security at the Kebbi Cabinet Office, Alhaji AbdulRahman Usman, highlighted significant progress in securing the state.

“They used to attack Argungu, Augie, and Arewa Local Government Areas but have been chased away and dealt with,” Usman said.

In Sokoto, Special Adviser on Security Matters to Governor Ahmad Aliyu, Col. Ahmad Usman (Rtd), described the presidential order as timely, noting that military operations were yielding results.

“Many terrorist enclaves were identified and destroyed, with several bandits neutralized. Hundreds of kidnapped victims are also being rescued in the ongoing operations,” he said.

With the military intensifying its offensive, residents remain hopeful that the December deadline will bring an end to the scourge of banditry and pave the way for lasting peace.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Army, have strengthened their partnership to combat insecurity in Katsina State.

Mr Aminu Datti, state Commandant, NSCDC, made this known on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the 17 Brigade, Nigeria Army in Katsina.

The commandant, who said the visit was necessitated by the need to cement the already existing relationship between the two agencies, called for continuous cooperation and synergy.

“With the current trend of insecurity in the state, there should be strong collaboration among all security agencies to secure the state and the country as a whole,” Datti stated.

He noted the commitment and leadership vision of the NSCDC Commandant General, Mr Ahmed Abubakar-Audi, to foster collaboration among security agencies as one of the best strategies to combat crime.

According to the NSCDC commandant, sharing credible intelligence, joint operations and training will improve greatly with better collaboration among the two agencies.

Responding, the Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Babatunde Omopariola, commended the commitment of NSCDC in the protection of critical national assets and infrastructures.

Omopariola, who commended the harmonious, working relationship between the agencies in different operations, pledged the continuous cooperation and collaboration of the agencies.