The Edo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Friday convened an emergency stakeholders’ meeting in Benin City to deliberate on strategies for safeguarding Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) across the state.
Addressing participants, State Commandant Saidi Akintayo stressed that the corps’ mandate extends to protecting both physical and digital assets vital to national security, including power installations, data centres, communication masts, and transport systems.
“Our responsibility is to shield facilities from vandalism, sabotage, and unauthorized access,” Akintayo explained.
“We conduct continuous threat analysis to identify vulnerabilities and design proactive mitigation strategies before they escalate into crises.” he added.
He emphasized that the evolving nature of threats—whether physical, technological, or cyber—requires strong partnerships among government agencies, private organizations, security operatives, and the public.
“Collaboration, intelligence-sharing, and synergy are essential to building resilience,” he added.
The meeting provided a platform for stakeholders to share ideas, coordinate actions, and develop a strategic roadmap for infrastructure protection in Edo and beyond.
Representatives from key sectors commended the initiative. Mr. Olusesi Ariyibi, Assistant General Manager of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Benin Region, praised NSCDC’s swift response to vandalism incidents affecting power facilities.
He warned against tampering with transmission towers, noting that such acts could trigger power outages, loss of lives, and property damage.
Telecom operators also voiced support. MTN Security Supervisor Endurance Iyamu urged scrap dealers to collaborate with telecom companies to protect fibre optic cables from vandalism, which often disrupts communication services.
Alhaji Sani Muhammed, representing the Arewa Scrap Dealers Association, revealed that the group had begun profiling its members to distinguish legitimate operators from vandals.
“We will enlighten our members on protecting critical assets in the state,” he assured.
Similarly, Sarahaisu Musa, Chairman of the Heavy Truck Owners, Marketers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria in Edo, pledged vigilance among members.
“We have instructed our members to raise alarms when approached to transport questionable scrap items,” he said.
The meeting drew representatives from the Edo Ministry of Communication, major telecom operators including MTN, Airtel, Glo, and Smile, alongside other stakeholders.
By fostering collaboration across sectors, the NSCDC Edo Command aims to strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure, ensuring safety, stability, and uninterrupted service delivery for the people of Edo State.