The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has conducted a 10-kilometre fitness walk for its personnel as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The FCT Commandant, Dr Olusola Odumosu, spoke on Saturday in Abuja during the exercise, which involved personnel from the command headquarters, area commands and divisional offices across the territory.
He said physical fitness was necessary for paramilitary personnel to pursue suspects, respond to emergencies and protect lives, property and critical national assets.
“Basically, we are paramilitary, and this is the core pillar of our operational efficiency. We have to remain gallant, we have to remain dogged. In the course of this job, if you are not fit, you cannot run after criminals,” he said.
Odumosu said the command would continue the exercise to maintain personnel’s physical fitness and prepare them for security assignments during the elections.
He expressed confidence in the command’s readiness to carry out its duties during the electoral period.
“This is preparedness on all fronts. Whatever the mandate of NSCDC FCT Command is, we are committed to it. The only way we can get that going is to ensure that we are all prepared at all times.
“So, if election is tomorrow, I am telling you, we are good to go. Whatever assignment comes our way, you can see my troops are in high spirit and will deliver without fail,” he said.
He urged personnel to avoid partisan political activities and remain apolitical and professional throughout the electoral period.
Odumosu said the corps would provide security before, during and after the elections, including protecting citizens and critical infrastructure against threats.
The 10-kilometre march began at the FCT Command headquarters and passed through Berger, Wuye, the Finance Bridge, Zone 3 and Wuse Market before returning to the headquarters. Area commanders, divisional officers, heads of departments and unit heads participated in the exercise.
Odumosu also said the command had intensified patrols across the FCT to curb vandalism and other criminal activities.
He said the patrols covered all 6 area councils and were conducted round the clock, extending beyond the city centre.
According to him, personnel had arrested suspected vandals in several locations, including Kubwa and the central area of Abuja.
“You can see we have been pirating vandals back to back in the last few weeks. That is to tell you that we are on top of our game.
“We are not only concentrating in the metropolis alone. We are in every area council. The last ones we pirated were from Kubwa and the central area,” he said.
Odumosu said the command would continue the patrols until criminal activities across the territory were reduced.
“We are into 24-hour patrols, day and night, and we are not going to rest on our oars until we wipe out criminality from the FCT,” he said.
Also speaking after the exercise, Dr Emmanuel Unuakpor, Director of Protocol at the National Defence College, Abuja, said regular physical exercise could improve personnel’s fitness and their ability to perform security duties.
