The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara State Command, has intensified efforts to safeguard critical national assets and infrastructure across the state with a statewide show of force aimed at deterring criminal activities and strengthening security around strategic facilities.

The exercise, conducted on Tuesday, was in line with the directive of the Commandant General of the Corps, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, to enhance the protection of critical infrastructure and reassure residents of the agency’s readiness to tackle emerging security threats.

A statement issued in Ilorin by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASC I Ayoola Michael Shola, said the operation was led by the Head of Operations, DCC Ahmed Wali Jubril, and involved personnel drawn from various tactical and specialised units of the Corps.

According to the statement, the deployment featured officers from the Operations Department, Armed Squad Unit, Counter Terrorism Unit, Anti-Vandal Unit, Operation Harmony, Mines and Steel Unit, Mining Marshals, Special Duties Unit, among others.

As part of the operation, the personnel visited several strategic facilities across the state, including railway corridors, power installations, Agba Dam and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) facility located in the Challenge area of Ilorin.

During interactions with management teams of the facilities, NSCDC officials stressed the need for stronger collaboration in protecting national assets from vandalism, theft, economic sabotage and other forms of criminal activities.

“The importance of collaboration in safeguarding critical infrastructure against vandalism, theft, economic sabotage and other security threats was emphasized during engagements with the management of the facilities visited,” the statement noted.

The Command explained that the exercise was designed to demonstrate its operational capacity to respond swiftly to security challenges, discourage criminal elements and reinforce the safety of facilities considered vital to economic growth and public welfare.

Reaffirming its commitment to the protection of lives and property, the NSCDC urged residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies by providing timely and credible information that could help prevent threats to critical infrastructure and public safety.

The Command maintained that the protection of critical national assets remains a top priority in its efforts to ensure a secure environment for residents and businesses across Kwara State.