NSCDC keeps mum on alleged arrests, harassment of journalists, denies diversion accusations, non-payment of election monitoring, staff arrears, others

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has denied allegations of diversion of funds meant for election monitoring; promotion and salary arrears, leveled against Abubakar Audi, Commandant General of the Corps.

However, the Corps kept mum on the alleged arrests, harassment and detention of journalists who dared to investigate the allegations against the CG.

Daily Intel Newspaper reported that the arrears running into billions of naira is believed to have been diverted after staff of the Corps disputed the CG’s claims that they have been paid.

This further raised suspicion of embezzlement of the funds meant for promoted officers and other operational allowances also amounting to billions of naira.

Daily Intel Newspaper also reported that between 2023 and 2025, many journalists who attempted to investigate the matter were either detained, harassed or intimidated on the order of the CG.

But in a statement on Thursday by the NSCDC Spokesman, Afolabi Babawale, the CG clarified that that the Corps does not have control over the payment of salary or promotion arrears, adding that such payments are handled by the Presidential Committee on Arrears, chaired by the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation and the Accountant General of the Federation.

The statement explained that the current leadership inherited five years of unpaid salary arrears on assumption of office in 2021 and facilitated the clearance of arrears from 2015 to 2019, benefiting over 37,000 personnel.

“Following an unconfirmed report published in some online media platforms dated 23 January, 2026, the NSCDC wishes to set the record straight that the allegation of non-payment of promotion arrears and withholding of funds meant for personnel welfare by the leadership of the Corps, under Abubakar Audi, is false, baseless, misleading, and malicious.

“From all intents and purposes, the said publication is a campaign of calumny, deliberately sponsored to mislead the public, cause unnecessary tension, and malign the integrity of the Corps’ leadership. For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to inform the public that the Commandant General does not control the payment of salary arrears, promotion arrears, or other emoluments. The payment of arrears falls squarely under the Presidential Committee on Arrears, chaired by the Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation, and the Accountant General of the Federation, and NOT the NSCDC.

“It should also be noted that payment records show clear progress, though the publication maliciously suggested that no arrears have been paid since 2022. This is incorrect and a complete falsehood. It is on record that the current leadership of the Corps inherited 5 years of unpaid salary arrears upon assumption of duty in 2021, and with assiduous efforts and interface with government, the CG was able to clear the backlog from 2015 to 2019, where over 37,000 personnel benefited, contrary to erroneous claims that he withheld funds meant for personnel welfare.”

The statement further stated that arrears for 2023 and 2024 were yet to be approved by the relevant authorities, noting that disbursement requires presidential approval and budgetary release.

“For the 2023–2024 arrears, the arrears are yet to be approved by the relevant authorities, as the government cannot disburse funds without presidential approval and budgetary release.

“It is important to note that the 2025 promotion examination results were only released in December 2025, and the processing to include it in the budget is ongoing.”