Interior Minister Issues Cautious Warnings to NSCDC, NIS, others against laxity

Mr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the interior minister, has enlisted the assistance and cooperation of the paramilitary organizations under his control.

The Nigeria Correctional Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Federal Fire Service, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps are among the paramilitary organizations under the ministry.

The first meeting was held soon after the swearing-in ceremony by Tunji-Ojo, one of the ministers appointed by President Bola Tinubu and sworn in on Monday.

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This information was provided to our correspondent in Akure on Tuesday in a statement released by Mr. Babatunde Alao, the minister’s media aide.

The paramilitary service chiefs were urged by the minister to work together and to be active in their respective organizations.

In addition, he issued a warning, saying that if any of them failed to carry out their responsibilities in the agencies properly, he would not hesitate to hold them all accountable—just as the president would if something went wrong in the ministry.

“Just as Mr. President will hold me accountable for whatever happens in the Ministry of Interior,” he declared, “I will never hold your subordinates responsible for anything; I will hold you accountable for anything that goes wrong.”

Tunji-Ojo reaffirmed his dedication to carrying out his constitutionally mandated duties in the ministry and vowed to use all reasonable efforts to see that it achieves its objectives.

“I’m here to work, but to work well, we need a pleasant environment. Regardless of wealth or poverty, everyone is impacted by the work of this ministry.

“I lead from the front, not from the back. We will make an effort and try our best to provide leadership that is based on your backing. I’m here to bring about change and get things done, and I need your assistance to do that,” he proclaimed.

Dr. Oluwatoyi Akinlade, the ministry’s permanent secretary, promised during her remarks that the staff would always support and work with the minister.

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The statement lists the paramilitary leaders present at the meeting as the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ahmed Audi, the Controller-General of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Mr. Haliru Nababa, the Acting Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Mrs. Adepoju Carol Wura-Ola, the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Mr. Abdulganiyu Jaji, and the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service.