The Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the Federal Capital Territory, Dr Olusola Odumosu, has called for stronger and more effective insurance protection for security personnel, saying officers face daily risks in the line of duty.
Speaking at a one-day sensitisation workshop on insurance held at the NSCDC headquarters in Abuja on Friday, Odumosu said officers regularly confront dangers such as civil unrest, insurgency, banditry, and pipeline vandalism, making insurance coverage essential for their welfare and peace of mind.
“Insurance is extremely important for officers and men of the command because of the high-risk nature of their job and the unique challenges they face in the line of duty,” he said.
Odumosu emphasised that as a paramilitary organisation, the NSCDC must ensure its personnel understand and benefit from government-backed insurance schemes, including life, accident, and hazard policies, as well as investment-linked plans that secure savings and pensions during and after service.
“Government, as part of its moral and legal duty, has put in place policies to protect those who protect society,” he said. “Adequate insurance coverage is a key part of occupational welfare and human rights.”
He noted that insurance provides financial security for officers and their families in the event of injury, disability, or death caused by duty-related incidents.
Odumosu praised the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, for prioritising personnel welfare through several insurance interventions across the country.
“The Commandant General has demonstrated uncommon leadership by ensuring that cheques worth hundreds of millions are issued to families of fallen heroes and accident victims within the Corps,” Odumosu said.
He also commended Prof. Audi for ensuring prompt payment of insurance benefits, saying the move has boosted officers’ morale nationwide.
The FCT Commandant urged Heads of Departments, Area Commanders, and Divisional Officers to share insights from the workshop with their teams, ensuring that every officer is aware of their rights and entitlements.
Odumosu further appealed to insurance operators to be transparent and efficient in handling claims, stressing that bureaucratic delays often frustrate officers seeking their benefits.
“I urge insurance operators to eliminate bottlenecks officers encounter while processing their insurance benefits and to provide valid information that enables informed decisions,” he added.
The workshop was attended by senior NSCDC officials from area commands and divisions across the FCT.