THE Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has denied allegations that its leadership deliberately withheld staff promotions, salary arrears and welfare funds, insisting that the Commandant General, Abubakar Audi, has no direct control over such payments.
News Point Nigeria reports that the clarification follows complaints by some personnel of the Corps who accused the leadership of failing to pay promotion arrears between 2022 and 2024, despite repeated assurances that the funds had been released.
Some affected officers claimed that arrears attached to their promotions had remained unpaid for years, fuelling frustration and speculation within the service.
However, in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Thursday, the NSCDC’s National Public Relations Officer, Afolabi Babawale, described the allegations as false, misleading and malicious, saying they were aimed at tarnishing the image of the Corps’ leadership.
Babawale explained that the payment of salary and promotion arrears does not fall under the authority of the Commandant General but is handled by the Presidential Committee on Arrears, which is chaired by the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation and the Accountant-General of the Federation.
According to him, the NSCDC leadership only serves as a beneficiary institution and facilitator, while approvals and disbursements are made strictly through federal budgetary processes and presidential authorisation.
“Following an unconfirmed report published in some online media platforms dated January 23, 2026, the NSCDC wishes to set the record straight that the allegation of non-payment of promotion arrears and withholding of funds meant for personnel welfare by the leadership of the Corps, under Abubakar Audi, is false, baseless, misleading, and malicious,” the statement read.
Babawale further stated that the current NSCDC leadership inherited five years of unpaid salary arrears upon assumption of office in 2021, adding that significant progress has been made since then.
He disclosed that arrears covering 2015 to 2019 had already been cleared through sustained engagement with relevant government agencies, benefiting over 37,000 personnel nationwide.
“It is on record that the current leadership inherited five years of unpaid salary arrears upon assumption of duty in 2021, and with assiduous efforts and interface with government, the Commandant General was able to clear the backlog from 2015 to 2019, contrary to claims that he withheld funds meant for personnel welfare,” Babawale said.
He dismissed claims that no arrears had been paid since 2022, describing them as a complete falsehood and noting that payment records clearly show progress in settlements.
On the arrears for 2023 and 2024, the NSCDC spokesman explained that they are yet to receive approval from the relevant authorities, stressing that funds cannot be disbursed without presidential approval and budgetary release.
“For the 2023–2024 arrears, approvals are still pending. Government cannot disburse funds without presidential approval and budgetary release,” he said.
Babawale also clarified that the 2025 promotion examination results were only released in December 2025, adding that efforts were ongoing to capture the financial implications in the appropriate budget cycle.
“It is important to note that the 2025 promotion examination results were only released in December 2025, and the process of incorporating them into the budget is ongoing,” he added.
While acknowledging the concerns of personnel, the NSCDC spokesperson appealed for calm and patience, assuring officers and men that the Corps’ leadership remains committed to continuous engagement with the federal government to ensure the release of outstanding funds.
He reaffirmed that staff welfare remains a priority of the Commandant General and urged personnel to avoid being misled by what he described as “sponsored misinformation.”