Civil Defence staff lament non-payment of arrears, other entitlement, accuse CG of allege diversion, harassment of journalists

Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Ahmed Abubakar Audi, is in the eyes of the storm, over alleged non-payment of promotion arrears of personnel spanning 2022 to 2024. 

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.

While Mr Audi claimed that the funds had been disbursed, some serving officers who spoke to the media on Wednesday under the condition of anonymity said thousands of NSCDC personnel across the country are yet to receive arrears tied to their promotions, despite repeated assurances that payments have been made.

“Till date, the arrears of promotions from 2022 to 2024 have not been paid,” one of the sources said. 

“Personally, I was promoted in 2023 and was not paid till 2025, which means my arrears is over one million naira, just like many of my colleagues who were also promoted.”

Between 2023 and 2025, many journalists who attempted to investigate the matter were either detained, harassed or intimidated on the order of the CG, an NSCDC source family with the arrests said.

“When we became worried over this payments, we took the matter to the media. Some of the journalists who attempted to ask questions were either arrested, detained or harassment. We later learned that it was an order issued by CG to ensure that the information is not made public”

Beyond promotion arrears, NSCDC sources also accused the corps’ leadership of diverting money meant for officers deployed for election duties.

“Apart from the promotion arrears, he has also cornered money that was meant to be paid for elections,” another officer alleged. “A lot of people did not get the money, including me.”

The sources appealed for public attention to be drawn to the issue, urging the media and relevant authorities to investigate.

“Please help us bring this inhumanity to man to the public,” one officer said.

The officers explained that many affected personnel are afraid to speak out openly due to fear of victimisation.

“I want to remain anonymous for my safety,” the source added.

As at the time of filling this report, all efforts to get the Corps to respond to the allegations proved abortive due to the NSCDC’s continued hostility towards journalists.