BY AKUDORO GLORIA

The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Audi, has directed the Commander of the Mining Marshals, Attah Onoja to withdraw his petition from the Senate Committee.

The petition bothered on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, over an alleged attack and shooting of mining marshals by policemen, including alleged obstruction of efforts to prosecute illegal miners arrested in Nasarawa State.

In a statement issued by the Corps Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, Audu expressed displeasure over the petition, stressing that the commander acted outside his purview by filing the petition without the authorisation of NSCDC management.

According to the commandant, Onoja did not allow the internal resolution mechanism of settlement of disputes among security institutions to be explored before filing the petition.

The statement further stated that the management dissociated itself from the petition and ordered the Commander to immediately withdraw the said petition.

“The withdrawal would allow for a smooth and amicable resolution of issues raised in the spirit of the robust interagency relationship between the Nigeria Police and the Corps as well as the harmonious working relationship between the IGP and the CG.

“It was also discovered that the IGP was not aware of the complaints before the petition was written by the officer, the statement revealed.

The Commandant General said the office of the IGP has been very supportive of the Corps’ operations by enjoining the Police to work closely with the corps and other services to promote national security and the realisation of Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Meanwhile, the Management is already working out appropriate measures to take on the officer.

Babawale said a joint investigation with the police, to unravel what transpired, would be conducted on the matter as the two institutions find solutions to the problem.

“I have spoken to the IGP on the matter and sincerely apologise for the embarrassment that the petition might have caused.

“I have also directed that the petition be withdrawn immediately with a view to resolving it administratively without any rancour”, the CG said.