The Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has urged stakeholders to prioritise the protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) as part of efforts to strengthen the nation’s economy.
State Commandant, Oluyemi Ibiloye, made the appeal in Akure during a stakeholders’ coordination meeting on CNAI, held in line with directives from the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Commandant-General of the Corps.
Ibiloye stressed that safeguarding national assets must be seen as a shared responsibility between security agencies and the public. He warned that vandalism of infrastructure such as roads, power installations, and communication lines often causes economic hardship and, in some cases, loss of lives.
“Although the rate of destruction in Ondo State remains relatively low, some vandals have already been arrested and are currently facing prosecution,” he said.
In his remarks, Olumide Atilara, Regional Head of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) in Akure, lamented the impact of vandalism on power supply.
Similarly, Okedele Sunday, Principal Manager of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in Akure, who represented the company’s Managing Director, Sule Abdulaziz, appealed to community leaders to support security agencies in safeguarding power infrastructure.
Chairman of the Ondo State Information Technology Agency (SITA), Tomide Akiribido, disclosed that the state government was considering deploying CCTV cameras and remote sensors to monitor and protect critical facilities.
