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BRIEF HISTORY OF NSCDC: It has been observed that not too many people have an in-depth knowledge of NSCDC, her functions and duties. So I will be doing a brief description of the Agency.
Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) is a para-military agency of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that was established in 1967 and commissioned to provide measures against threat and any form of attack or disaster against the nation and its citizenry. The corps is statutorily empowered by lay Act No. 2 of 2003 and amended by Act 6 of 4 June 2007.

The Corps is empowered to institute legal proceedings by or in the name of the Attorney General of the Federation in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria against any person or persons suspected to have committed an offence, maintain an armed squad in order to bear fire arms among others to strengthen the corps in the discharge of its statutory duties.
Above is the amended act of NSCDC, it also has in it her functions.
In recourse to sections 3 (f)(1) of the NSCDC ACT 2007 as amended, says the Corp shall arrest, investigate and prosecute in the name of Attorney General of the Federation any person who is suspected to have committed any act of criminality. Premised on the above, Rape and all sexual offences are forms of criminality, as a result the NSCDC carry out her duties in this regard.

RESPONSIVE ROLES OF NSCDC
You will all agree with me that sexual related offences have been with us for long, but the lockdown brought about by the pandemic gave the already existing menace a boost, as a result rape and other sexual offences graduated to pandemic heights. It is in realization of this obvious fact that the NSCDC created the Anti-Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration Unit was created in 2012 with the following duties.

• Gathering of intelligence as regards Trafficking in Persons’.
• Arrest and investigate suspected traffickers.
• Handover of suspected traffickers to NAPTIP.
• Arrest, investigation, prosecution of sexual offenders.
• Mediations in Family Crisis and Domestic Violence.
• To bring child abuse offender to book.
• Counseling and reorientation of children with traits of Juvenile delinquencies.

PREVENTIVE ROLES
The agency identifies that to effectively curb Rape and other sexual offences, it has to build synergy.

As a result, the NSCDC is in synergy with the following agencies but not limited to;

1. NAPTIP
2. Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development
3. Civil Society Organizations (CSO)
   • The Child Protection Network (CPN)
   • The Justice Development and Peace Center (JDPC)
   • Emmanuel World Children Foundation (EWCF)
   • Kids and Teens Resource Center
   • Girls to Women Network. And a host of others.

The agency also engages in radio and television enlightenment on issues bothering around child abuse and sexual offences particularly defilement of minors.
The agency brings relevant stakeholder agency particularly that Federal and State government up to speed on the rate of sexual offences, identifying hot spots for the crime, with relevant recommendations. Also advocacy is made to the Government so as to make favorable policies for Victims/ Survivors of sexual offences.

With particular reference to the Anti-Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration Unit (AHTIMU) of the NSCDC Ondo State Command.

I shall give us a run through cases handled by the unit

In the last 5 years, the Unit has earned Convictions in about 20% of the cases handled 10% of complainant never returned after cases have been reported for further investigations 30% followed case through investigation but opted out when it was time to prosecute. About 20% of the cases handled had loss vital elements for successful prosecution.

Categories of perpetrators of sexual offences

• 10% were cases of Sodomy.
• 30% were cases of father’s sexual abuse of their daughters.
• 60% were neighbor’s, Friends and close relatives.
• About 10% or less were strangers.

With the above analysis we can begin to draw our challenges

1. Complainant’s not following cases to court after Officers had put in all efforts in being diligent with investigation.
2. The mobility to get to the very rural areas to apprehend perpetrators.
3. The necessary gadgets required for recording investigation activities in line with the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act.
4. The need for more man power with the required training to enable effective handling of cases.

Achievements recorded despite the itemized challenges

1. The Ondo State Command of The NSCDC in Conjunction with the CPN organized training for Sexual and Gender Based Violence Officers across that State in the areas of Child abuse, case management and GBV, this was supported by the office of the Ondo State first lady, the MW& SD, Min. Of Justice and the JDPC
2. We had earned series of convictions of sexual offenders.
3. We have been part of advocacies to the State government for the need for free medical examination for Victims of Sexual abuse, and this is receiving great attention in the state at the moment.
4. Also been able to advocate for the need for half way home for Victims of Sexual abuse. This is also receiving a great attention as the MW&SD and the office of the Ondo State first lady are seriously working on this.

Way forward

• A lot more has to be done to sensitize our children and loved ones on RAPE and what can be done. As the popular saying goes, prevention is better than cure.
• Everyone has a role to play by helping the NSCDC to serve you better.
• If we see something, let say something.
• If you are saying something say it on time when evidences can still be preserved.
• Let stop the silence culture.

In Conclusion
The NSCDC is an agency of the Government that will stop at nothing to ensure a crime free society. Therefore I urge this great Community to see the NSCDC as partners in Progress. It is hoped that with greater support from all stakeholders to overcome our challenges we will be able to serve the Nigeria Citizen better.

Facilitated by Mrs. Yemi Faboyo-Agbede, an assistant Superintendent of Corps with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).