By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo
The Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Osun State, Mr Igbalawole Sotiyo, has emphasised the need for all security forces to work collaboratively to address crime effectively and foster a secure environment.
During a courtesy visit to Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Patrick Ogong Edung at the Zone 11 Command Headquarters in Osogbo, Sotiyo expressed the NSCDC’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with other security agencies in tackling crime across the state.
Highlighting a recent incident involving the assault of NSCDC personnel by officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Osun State, Sotiyo urged the police leadership to address issues causing conflicts among sister security agencies. He voiced his discontent over the altercation, stressing that public servants are bound by the Public Service Rules (PSR), which do not permit physical confrontation. “When conflicts arise, higher authorities should intervene to resolve them peacefully for the sake of harmony,” he said.
AIG Edung, who oversees Zone 11 covering Osun and Oyo States, expressed gratitude for the visit and underscored the importance of inter-agency collaboration. He acknowledged that no single security agency could single-handedly address the country’s security challenges.
Edung noted that inter-service rivalry tends to occur at lower ranks, while senior officers demonstrate a high level of cooperation and synergy. He urged all agencies to nurture a culture of partnership and to use inter-agency collaboration as a means to strengthen national security efforts. He condemned the recent clash between the NSCDC and police officers, describing it as a “public disgrace” and assured that an impartial investigation, as directed by Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, would be conducted to address the matter.
The visit offered an opportunity for both the NSCDC and police personnel to reflect on their shared mission of sustaining peace and security in society.