The Plateau Command, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Friday said it had trained?160 officers in weapons handling, arm drills and combat craft.
The?state NSCDC Commandant, Mr Desmond Agu, made this known at the passing out parade of the second batch of the armed squad.
Agu said that some of the officers?had previously been trained in weapons handling and arms drills at the Command and Staff College, Jaji.
“Others were also trained on?counter terrorism at the?Nigeria Army Depot, Kachia, in Kaduna,’’ he said.
He said that those trained would form a “formidable armed squad’’ that would work with the military, the police and other security agencies to check insecurity?in Plateau.
The commandant cautioned them against acts that could?tarnish the image of the NSCDC and harassing innocent members of the public.
“As members of the?armed squad, you should not at any time or by any means whatsoever, abuse the privilege granted to you?by intimidating people.
“Any corps caught with the slightest offence in the handling?of arms would not only be dismissed but prosecuted immediately and this includes anyone who aids and abets the commission of the offence.”
He appealed to the State Government to provide the outfit with?five patrol vehicles to ease the performance of its duties.
Gov. Jonah Jang, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Shedrack Best, commended the Federal Government for arming the NSCDC to enable them join other security agencies in combating the security challenges facing Plateau and Nigeria in general.
He urged those trained to use the knowledge acquired during their training to defend the nation?both locally and internationally. (NAN)