By Adamu Isah
Shockwaves are currently sweeping through Nigeria’s security apparatus as furious NSCDC sources reveal explosive allegations against Commandant General Ahmed Abubakar Audi, branding his tenure a “catastrophic betrayal of trust, a cesspool of greed, and a shameful demolition of a once-proud force”.
The allegations against him paint a picture of a leader who allegedly prioritized personal gain over the welfare of his officers and the security of the nation.
Allegations against the commandant include, excessive centralization of power, commercialization of posting, death of professionalism among others.
Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi joined the NSCDC in 1996 and has served in various capacities, including Divisional Officer, Head of Operations, and Head of Intelligence.
Audi was promoted to Commandant of Corps in 2007 and has held several leadership roles, including State Commandant in Imo State, Director of Procurement, and Zonal Commander. He was appointed Commandant General in 2021.
Audi holds a PhD in Public Administration, Master’s degrees in Public Administration and Law Enforcement, and a Bachelor’s degree in Physical and Health Education.
Under his leadership, the NSCDC is believed to have combated economic sabotage and oil pipeline vandalism.
However, Dr. Audi, has also been involved in several controversies. These include ordering the withdrawal of a petition filed by an NSCDC officer against the Nigeria Police and apologizing for the embarrassment caused. There have also been allegations of corruption, with a Deputy Commandant arrested alongside a former Naval Chief for alleged N3 billion fraud in Febuary 2025.
Critics also accuse Audi of diverting funds meant for officer training, leading to inadequate preparation of officers. In April 2025, NSCDC officers were also detained for allegedly extorting ₦5.2 million from a traveler, with Audi promising decisive action for which nothing has been heard
Some accuse Audi of prioritizing personal survival and tenure elongation over NSCDC’s security mandate. These controversies have raised concerns about accountability and professionalism within the NSCDC.
A closer look at these allegations is revealing:
Commercialization of Postings and Training.
Audi’s administration is accused of turning postings and training into a lucrative business, with officers allegedly paying up to N10 million for desirable positions. This not only undermines the professionalism of the Corp but also creates a culture of corruption, where those who pay the most are rewarded with plum assignments. A source who spoke to our correspondent said that this has become an entrenched culture within the services as “posting which out to be routine can now be influence with financial inducement”
Centralization of Power.
The concentration of power in Audi’s hands, reportedly including the involvement of his spouses in issuing directives to State Commandants, has been described by insiders as “a recipe for conflict and insubordination”. This has allegedly led to a culture of fear and sycophancy, where officers are more concerned with currying favor than performing their duties.
Neglect of Welfare and Infrastructure
The alleged neglect of officer welfare, including unpaid allowances and poor working conditions, is believed to have demoralized the Corp and undermined its effectiveness. According to a source, “the lack of investment in infrastructure, including the failure to build new state command buildings, is a stark contrast to the lavish spending on personal projects”,
The cumulative effect of these allegations is a force that is ill-equipped, demoralized, and lacking in professionalism. The NSCDC, once a proud institution, is now reportedly struggling to perform its core functions, with officers more focused on survival than serving the nation.
The allegations against Audi and his administration are serious and demand a thorough investigation. If true, they represent a catastrophic failure of leadership and a betrayal of the trust reposed in the NSCDC. The NSCDC must regain its credibility as a professional and effective security agency, and that starts with rooting out corruption and restoring the dignity of its officers.
As things stands the tenure of Abubakar Audi is widely regarded within the Corps as a period of unprecedented Institutional regression, one that many officers argue reversed decades of professionalisation and dragged the NSCDC back into a volunteer-era mindset. The cumulative effect of alleged financial impropriety, administrative arbitrariness, welfare neglect, and infrastructural decay has left the Corps weakened, demoralised, and structurally hollowed out.
