The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Rivers State has rejected circulating claims that the 10 Hilux vans donated by Governor Siminialayi Fubara were connected to the recent local government elections.
News About Nigeria reports that this clarification comes after a viral video suggested the governor provided these vehicles to support NSCDC’s security efforts during the elections, which had sparked controversy following a police withdrawal.
In the video, NSCDC personnel were seen celebrating as the vehicles arrived at the Rivers State Command in Port Harcourt.
Addressing these claims on Thursday, the command’s spokesperson, Superintendent Olufemi Ayodele, stated that the narrative was misleading and “far from the truth.”
According to Ayodele, the donation was in recognition of the NSCDC’s new Rivers State Commandant, Joachin Okafor, who had recently visited the governor and spoke about the command’s successes in tackling crude oil theft.
Impressed by Okafor’s efforts, Governor Fubara provided the vans to bolster the command’s operations.
This donation, Ayodele said, occurred before the local elections took place.
Ayodele further explained that NSCDC’s role in the election was limited to routine patrols and protecting critical infrastructure based on intelligence reports, adding that the command did not engage in election security.
The NSCDC remains, he added, “neutral, apolitical, and nonpartisan in election matters.”
The spokesperson also urged the media to uphold professional standards in reporting, cautioning against spreading “unfounded and denigrating” claims that could damage the NSCDC’s integrity.
Ayodele praised the command’s new leadership as committed to ensuring the security of Rivers State citizens and fostering productive collaboration with other security agencies.
