By Ahmad Dankogi

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says 66 personnel drawn from its formations nationwide have been sanctioned for various offences.

According to NAN, Ahmed Audi, NSCDC commandant general, during an interview with journalists in Abuja on Friday, said the punishment ranged from dismissal, compulsory retirement, demotion and warnings.

He said the disciplinary actions followed the approval of the Civil Defence, Correction, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) after investigations into allegations of misconduct against the affected personnel.

The CG detailed that the sanctions were imposed based on the nature and severity of the offences committed.

He said some of the offences were involvement in arms dealing, adding that officers found culpable of particularly serious offences would face prosecution.

“Some of them are to face prosecution while some had been dismissed after facing prosecution,” he said.

“They will be prosecuted because of the veracity of the offence, level and kind of offence they have committed.”

The NSCDC boss said all the affected personnel had undergone the established disciplinary procedures, including orderly room trials and relevant staff disciplinary committees, before the board approved the sanctions.

According to Audi, the affected officers were drawn from state, zonal and area commands, the national headquarters, and other formations across the country.

He noted that the NSCDC will not tolerate indiscipline or actions capable of undermining its professional standards.

The CG further said the exercise was intended to reinforce discipline within the corps and serve as a deterrent to other personnel.

“The culture of any military or paramilitary organisation stands or is built on discipline,” he said.

He, however, added that 17,000 NSCDC personnel had recently been promoted, describing the exercise as a morale booster for deserving officers and men.

Audi explained that approximately 22,000 personnel sat for the promotion examination, while about 17,000 qualified for promotion based on their performance and available vacancies approved by the federal government.

According to him, the promotion results were ready and would be displayed on the corps’ notice boards to enable personnel verify their outcomes.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for providing the necessary support and enabling environment for the promotion exercise and other institutional reforms within the corps. NAN

*** Police burst counterfeit dollar factory in Ondo

From Muyiwa Olateju (Lagos)

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said it has uncovered an illegal oil refinery allegedly operated by Chinese nationals in the Ogere area of Ogun State.

The commission made the disclosure in a statement it issued on Tuesday in Abuja

This is even as the Nigeria Police made a similar giant stride in the fight against economic sabotage, when it bursted an illegal counterfeit dollar minting company in Ondo state.

The EFCC in a statement by its head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said the illegal oil refinery facility was discovered on Saturday, October 31, 2026, by operatives of its Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 following intelligence gathering and surveillance of the activities of illegal sludge oil refiners.

The statement however noted that no arrest was made at the point of discovery, as the facility was deserted when operatives stormed the premises, following an earlier crackdown on four illegal lithium processing plants in the area.

However, he said operatives discovered waste products from the refining process and underground tanks suspected to have been used for heating and processing sludge oil.

The statement partly read, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission uncovered an illegal oil refinery operated by Chinese in the Ogere area of Ogun State.

“The operation, conducted on Saturday, October 31, 2026, by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC, followed credible intelligence and surveillance by the Commission on the activities of the illegal sludge oil refiners.

“The refinery was found deserted when EFCC operatives stormed the premises, following the Commission’s earlier clampdown on four illegal lithium processing plants in the area. However, waste products from the refining process were discovered at the location.

“Two of the underground tanks inspected contained substances suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), otherwise known as diesel.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the operators sourced sludge oil, also known as black sludge, from Warri, Delta State, and Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and transported it to the illegal facility in Ogere for processing,” Oyewale added.

He said the operators subjected the sludge oil to intense heat, allowing lighter petroleum components to pass through chambers and filters in a process believed to produce diesel for sale in the Nigerian market.

“Personnel at the facility told EFCC operatives that the Chinese operators never disclosed their identities nor the name of the company behind the facility.

“Consequently, operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC have since taken over the premises as investigations continue to establish the identities of the operators, the ownership of the facility and the full extent of the suspected illegal activities and economic sabotage,” he added.

The Ondo State Police Command said it uncovered a suspected counterfeit currency production site in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state, arresting one suspect and recovering three bags of suspected fake United States dollar notes.

The command said the operation took place on October 29 at Kiniso Village, via Ajue, following investigations into a complaint by a man who allegedly received counterfeit dollars from two men during a currency exchange transaction.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, who made the disclosure in a statement issued on Tuesday, said the complainant, identified as Yusuf Nasiru, reported to the police on October 28 that two men, identified as Peter Desmond and Olami Toro, both residents of Ode-Irele, had approached him at his shop on October 25 to exchange US dollars for their naira equivalent.

Jimoh said the complainant handed over $6,000, valued at approximately ₦8.6m, to the men.

“However, while waiting to receive the naira equivalent, the suspects allegedly returned the dollars to him, claiming that they did not have sufficient funds to complete the transaction, and subsequently left,.

“The complainant later discovered, upon closer examination, that the dollar notes returned to him were counterfeit, prompting him to report the incident to the Police.

“Upon receipt of the complaint, the operatives from Okitipupa Divisional Headquarters immediately commenced discreet investigative activities.

“Through intelligence gathering and technical tracking, the team traced one of the suspects, Peter Desmond, to Kiniso Village, via Ajue, in Odigbo Local Government Area.”

The statement said the operatives, acting on information from members of the community, raided the suspected hideout on October 29.

“During the operation, one suspect was arrested, while other occupants of the premises escaped through the perimeter fence.

“A search of the premises led to the recovery of three bags containing suspected counterfeit United States dollar notes and a small wooden box, all of which were taken into police custody as exhibits.

“The arrested suspect has however given useful information that is assisting the investigation,” the PPRO said.

Currency counterfeiting, especially of US dollars used in fraudulent exchange schemes, remains a recurring challenge across Nigeria. In recent months, security agencies have recorded multiple seizures of fake foreign notes.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Felix Ohagwu, has directed that the investigation be intensified to identify and arrest other persons allegedly connected to the operation.

The command said the investigation would also seek to establish the extent of the suspected counterfeit currency network and ensure that anyone found culpable was brought to justice..

*** Commends officers for strengthening private security sector_

By: Obum Stella

In appreciation for their contributions to providing adequate and maximum security, and fostering good working relationship between the private security companies and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), in the Delta State in particular and Nigeria in general, the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN), Delta State Chapter, has honoured the Delta State Commandant of NSCDC, Commandant Chinedu Fabian Igbo, and the Head of Department, Private Guard Companies, Deputy Commandant Emmanuel E. Peters.

The distinguished officers were honoured by the State Chairman of ALPSPN, Prof. Odikaesieme Emmanus, during the association’s Private Guard Companies Quarterly Stakeholders’ meeting, where souvenirs were presented to them in recognition of their exemplary leadership and commitment to enhancing the capacity of private security practitioners.

The two top officers were also recognized for their outstanding contributions to the development of the private security sector in Delta State.

The recognition, according to the association, was in appreciation of the officers’ significant roles in upscaling, strengthening and improving the operational capacity of private security companies across the state.

Prof. Emmanus commended Commandant Igbo and Deputy Commandant Peters for their dedication to promoting professionalism, effective regulation and improved collaboration between the NSCDC and private security operators.

He noted that their contributions had continued to create a more conducive environment for private security practitioners to operate effectively while maintaining the required standards of professionalism and discipline.

The ALPSPN chairman further emphasised the importance of sustained cooperation between the NSCDC and private security companies, noting that such partnership was essential to strengthening security and protecting lives and property in Delta State.

The quarterly stakeholders’ meeting also provided an opportunity for industry players to engage on issues affecting the private security sector and explore ways of improving service delivery, operational efficiency and professional standards.

The association reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the NSCDC and other relevant stakeholders to promote a more effective, responsible and professional private security industry in Delta State.