The Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Akwa Ibom State, Geraldine Sixtus Abetiambe, has been redeployed from the state command to the Corps' Zonal Headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. This move comes amid fresh allegations concerning the implementation of controversial personnel transfers approved under her administration. According to sources, Abetiambe's redeployment followed complaints about her administration, with the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, reportedly ordering her removal from the Akwa Ibom Command.
A source familiar with the development told SaharaReporters that the Commandant had been directed to pay the entitlements of personnel affected by the controversial transfers. However, despite receiving her redeployment letter, Abetiambe had directed the Head of Administration, DCC Nkoyo Asim, to prepare and backdate release letters for officers affected by the transfers. The source alleged that this move was intended to ensure that the transfers were implemented before the incoming commandant could review them.
The source alleged that several of the affected officers had completed their clearance but were awaiting further directives concerning transfer allowances after their initial redeployment letters stated that the transfers would attract no financial benefits. The source claimed that Abetiambe was determined to implement the transfers before leaving the command. The transfers in question involved 79 officers, with 60 officers redeployed from the Akwa Ibom State Command to various state commands and 19 officers from the Kwara State Command to Akwa Ibom.
The source further alleged that the timing of the release letters was intended to make it difficult for the incoming commandant to suspend or review the transfers after assuming office. Most of those affected did their clearance but were waiting for directives concerning their transfer allowances. The source claimed that the development raised questions about the basis of the transfers, alleging that their implementation appeared to have been driven by personal considerations rather than administrative requirements.
Another source claimed that an incoming commandant could review or suspend a transfer initiated by a predecessor where operational considerations, including manpower requirements, warranted such action. The source also alleged that Abetiambe was in Abuja to get her letter of redeployment and had arrived in Uyo from Abuja but could not come to the office. The source claimed that she wanted all the letters brought to her house so that she could quickly sign and issue them before the new commandant arrives.
When SaharaReporters contacted the NSCDC National Public Relations Officer (PRO), Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) Babawale Afolabi, for comments on the matter, he confirmed the redeployment of Abetiambe. However, he added that the controversial transfers could not be reversed. Afolabi stated that as part of the NSCDC tradition, new Commandants would go through some kind of orientation before being given their letters.
The latest development comes weeks after SaharaReporters reported complaints by NSCDC personnel over the redeployment of 79 officers involving the Akwa Ibom and Kwara commands. The redeployments were approved by NSCDC Commandant-General Ahmed Abubakar Audi through four separate signals signed by Musa Farouk B.K. on behalf of the CG. The signals stated that the transfers carried no financial benefits, sparking protests from affected officers who argued that they would struggle to fund their transportation and relocation to distant states.
Key points
- The redeployment of Geraldine Sixtus Abetiambe follows complaints about her administration and allegations of implementing controversial personnel transfers.
- The transfers in question involved 79 officers, with 60 redeployed from Akwa Ibom and 19 from Kwara State Command.
- The NSCDC has confirmed Abetiambe's redeployment but stated that the controversial transfers could not be reversed.
