ABUJA — The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has commenced a two-day capacity-building workshop for officers of its Female Special Force (FSF), as part of efforts to strengthen operational effectiveness, intelligence gathering and evidence-based security operations across the country.

The workshop, which was flagged off in Abuja by the Commandant General of the Corps, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR, is designed to enhance the capacity of State Commanders and selected officers of the Female Special Force in operational deliverables, critical thinking and research techniques.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Audi stressed the importance of women’s participation in national security, saying sustainable peace could not be achieved without the active involvement of women in conflict prevention, intelligence gathering and peacebuilding.

He said the initiative was consistent with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and the NSCDC Gender Policy, which promote gender mainstreaming, equal opportunities and the inclusion of women in tactical and strategic security operations.

According to him, women should not be viewed merely as beneficiaries of security, but as active contributors to the prevention and resolution of conflicts and the protection of national security interests.

Audi assured members of the Female Special Force of the management’s continued institutional support, urging participants to translate the knowledge gained from the workshop into improved performance in the field.

In her welcome address, the National Commander of the Female Special Force, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) Imonikhe Oluwakemi, reaffirmed the unit’s commitment to protecting Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI).

She emphasised the importance of incorporating data-driven intelligence into field operations to enable officers to respond more effectively to emerging security threats.

Also speaking, the Head of the Critical Thinking, Research and Innovation Unit (CTRIU), ACC Dr. Ogunshola Folashade, said contemporary security operations require more than physical tactical capabilities.

She noted that critical thinking, technological integration, research and strategic intelligence had become essential components of modern security management.

The event attracted goodwill messages from sister security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service and Federal Fire Service.

The ceremony also featured the presentation of performance awards to outstanding State Commanders from Benue, Kebbi, Edo and Bayelsa States.

The NSCDC said the capacity-building initiative was part of its broader institutional efforts to strengthen professional competence, gender inclusion and intelligence-led operations within the Corps.

Source: Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Headquarters, Abuja.