The outgoing Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Audi, has been accused of failing to hand over leadership to the most senior Deputy Commandant-General (DCG) after his retirement, sparking tension within the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
Audi officially retired on Friday after reaching the mandatory retirement age and completing his tenure. Under established civil service and paramilitary procedures, he was expected to transfer authority in acting capacity to the most senior DCG, Dr Nnamdi Nwinyi, pending further directives from the Federal Government.
Multiple senior officers within the Corps told SaharaReporters that the anticipated handover did not occur. Sources alleged that Audi declined to transfer authority to Nwinyi, who heads the Intelligence and Investigation Department at the NSCDC headquarters, citing concerns linked to his ethnic background.
“A DCG is supposed to take over from the outgoing CG as the most senior officer, but up to today he refused to hand over to him simply because he is an Igbo man,” one senior officer, who requested anonymity, claimed.
Another officer described the development as “deeply troubling,” noting that established tradition dictates that the most senior officer assumes leadership in acting capacity whenever a chief executive retires, pending appointment of a substantive replacement.
Efforts to obtain an official response from the NSCDC headquarters were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
Audi, who assumed office on March 1, 2021, was appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari. A native of Nasarawa State, he holds a PhD in Public Administration from Nasarawa State University, Keffi, and a Master’s degree in Public Business Administration from the University of Calabar.
Leadership transitions in paramilitary agencies such as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria Customs Service have historically generated controversy, particularly where seniority rules are perceived to have been bypassed or where federal appointments are delayed.
The situation also touches on Nigeria’s informal “federal character” principle, designed to promote regional balance in public service appointments. In recent years, civil society groups and commentators have raised concerns over what they describe as underrepresentation of South-East officers in top security positions.
