Responsiveness of the Borno State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)

In what specific ways have the COVID-19 affected the work of the Command in Borno State?

• • Fear, Suspicion and Disbelief by members of the public and some personnel of the corps, disbelieving the fact that the new coronavirus disease really exists thus making it difficult for willing personnel to carry out their normal duties amidst the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.
  • We have to reduce the influx – on the number of complainants being attended to at the State Headquarters and divisional offices on a daily basis to aid crowd control and social distancing.
  • Detention of suspects and criminals in our cell has been restricted / reduced due to the pandemic.
  • Morning briefings and management meetings no longer hold due to the fear of the pandemic.

What measures have been put in place to protect staff in line of duty?

• • Safety and security sensitization on personal protection measures among staff in the command was carried out.
  • Provision of personnel protection equipment for staff in the line of duty.
  • Provision of and strict compliance to hand washing by all staff of the command using Liquid soap under running water and alcohol-based hand sanitizers (Septol Product).
  • Ensure staff and visitors maintain social distance while on duty.
  • Decongestion of the command detention facility.

What policies are in place to protect complainants who are visiting the command?

• • Thorough screening of complainants at the entrance of the command’s main gate using infrared thermometer.
  • Mandatory hand washing hygiene by all complainants and visitors at the main entrance gate with soap under running water before being allowed into the command.
  • Complainants are advised to keep social distance even within the command, while waiting to be attended to.

What contributions have the command made to help communities in Borno State cope with the COVID-–19?

• • The act establishing the corps mandated the NSCDC to mitigate the effect of disaster as well as to carryout rescue operations and control volatile situations.
  • The command began safety and security sensitization visits to various communities in the state.
  • The command gave out free hand washing basins, hand sanitizers and soap to some communities in the state. Beneficiaries included internally displaced persons camps and public schools in the state as part of its social responsibility.
  • The command has produced several flyers in different languages including English, Kanuri and Hausa and distributed them to different communities in the state.
  • The command visited different worship centers to sensitizes the public on COVID-19

In which locations have these interventions been made and why did the NSCDC choose to donate to these specific groups and organizations?

• • As part of the corps social responsibilities and to collapse the social boundaries between the command and the public, the NSCDC Borno State Command under the distinguished leadership of Comdt. Abdullahi Ibrahim, saw it necessary to contribute its quota towards providing some hand washing basins to the following to mention but few:
  • Bakassi IDP camp: due to the size of the population of displaced persons in the camp. (about 12000)
  • Government Day Secondary School – Mairi, due to the population of pupils in the school and the school’s proximity to a motor park within Maiduguri.
  • Government Girls Secondary School – Yerwa, Maiduguri, due to having about six different public schools enclosed in its premises, thus with a very large population of over (8000) eight thousand students.

What impacts are these interventions making or will make?

• • The interventions have increased awareness of the COVID-19 virus among members of the communities who are in doubt about its existence.
  • It has educated communities on emergency preparedness and preventive measures against the widespread of COVID-19
  • The hand washing basins, if properly utilized and managed by members of these communities, will help to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in those locations. In the eventuality of its presence in these communities, we have facilitated regular hand washing which is one of the major preventive measures recommended during this global pandemic.

 

What have been the reactions of the recipients of these interventions?

• • The communities appreciated the command’s effort at awareness raising and the exemplary steps in setting up practical measures to mitigate the spread of the new coronavirus.
  • Gifts were accepted in each community and a committee was set up to ensure proper functioning and coordination of hand washing hygiene accordingly.
  • They were overwhelmed and full of praises for the corps. They prayed for the corps and the leadership of the NSCDC entirely.

 What message(s) do you have for Nigerians regarding the management of COVID-19?

• • The new coronavirus disease is REAL, thus Nigerians should adhere strictly to the guidlines as stated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) which include:
  • Regular handwash with soap under running water or the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
  • Sneezing into the elbow or using tissue paper and disposing adequately.
  • Maintaining social distance and avoiding unnecessary gathering.
  • Avoid torching your eyes, nose and/or mouth
  • Practice respiratory hygiene
  • Those with fever, cough or shortness of breath should kindly seek healthcare.
  • Desist from spreading fake information
  • Stay at home