Mr Jonathan Olariche has assumed duty as the 18th State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Akwa Ibom State Command, pledging stronger action against oil theft, vandalism and other criminal activities.
Olariche, who was transferred from the NSCDC Zonal Command Headquarters in Awka, Anambra State, made the commitment on Monday during his maiden briefing with officers and men of the command at its headquarters in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.
In his address, titled “Dawn of a New Paradigm,” the new commandant outlined a three-point agenda focusing on leadership development, advancement of the corps’ core mandate, and capacity building and empowerment.
He urged personnel to embrace discipline, dedication and professional renewal, stressing that improved security performance required a change in attitude and stronger commitment to duty.
Olariche called on officers, from senior management to the newest recruits, to uphold integrity, punctuality and professionalism in the discharge of their responsibilities.
“We cannot expect new results with old habits,” he said, urging personnel to align their conduct with the command’s new direction.
The commandant also vowed to intensify operations against oil thieves, vandals targeting critical national assets and infrastructure, and other criminal elements operating in Akwa Ibom State.
He pledged to protect government infrastructure, lives and property, while seeking improved cooperation among personnel and other stakeholders to strengthen the command’s operational effectiveness.
Olariche further appealed to residents to support the security agency by providing credible information about suspected criminals and criminal activities.
He emphasised that security was a collective responsibility and assured members of the public that the command remained open to constructive engagement, intelligence sharing and mutual cooperation.
The leadership change comes amid reports of controversy surrounding the transfer of dozens of NSCDC officers from Akwa Ibom to other locations. The outgoing commandant, Geraldine Sixtus Abetianbe, was reportedly redeployed to the corps’ Zonal Headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. However, the allegations raised by affected officers over the transfer exercise remain separate from the new commandant’s stated agenda.
Olariche’s administration will now be expected to translate its three-point agenda into practical measures that strengthen personnel capacity, improve professionalism and protect critical national assets across the state.
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