Secrets Reporters
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Akwa Ibom State Command is in turmoil following a string of allegations against the State Commandant, Commandant Geraldine Abetianbe, ranging from complicity in economic sabotage to financial impropriety, victimization and collapse of inter-agency relations.
Findings by SecretsReporters based correspondences and testimonies from officers within the command paint a picture of a command lacking credible leadership, with critical operations allegedly stalled and relationships with sister agencies fractured.
The most serious allegation against Commandant Abetianbe borders on obstruction of a military investigation into a tanker conveying about 33,000 litres of illegally bunkered petroleum product. Documents sighted by our reporter show that the military made repeated written requests for the release of the Command’s Head of Anti-Vandal Unit, SP Mike Asibor, to aid investigation. The letters were copied to Army Headquarters, JTF OPDS headquarters, DSS and the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA.
Sources allege that the Commandant refused to release the officer.
“The refusal to cooperate has fractured relationships with critical sister security agencies including the Police, DSS and especially the Army,” a source said.
As a fallout, our reporter gathered that the Army has opened a checkpoint close to the NSCDC exhibit yard in the state with the aim of seizing the suspected truck whenever it resurfaces.
According to Section 116 of the Criminal Code Act, it is an offence for any person to willfully obstruct a public officer in the execution of his duty. The act also constitutes perverting the course of justice under Section 126, which attracts up to 7 years imprisonment. Furthermore, Public Service Rules 030401 and 030402 classify willful disobedience of lawful instructions and action prejudicial to the security of the State as serious misconduct punishable by suspension, demotion or dismissal.
The Commandant is further accused of failing to distribute tech operational system packs to officers despite a directive to do so. Instead, management staff were allegedly forced to sign that they had collected the items.
“One wonders the rationale for such act,” a source queried.
The issue that drew the most petitions was a welfare deduction scheme forcefully implemented by the Commandant. According to findings, 12,000 naira was to be deducted annually in three instalments of N4,000 each, amounting to about N12 million per year from the salaries of about 1,000 staff. The Commandant was alleged to have insisted to be among the signatory to the welfare account against professional counsel, financial rules and practices, occasioned by the transient nature of the office she holds. She also relieved executives previously elected by members.
After the first two deductions of N4,000 each, totaling N8,000 were made, serious petitions were raised. The pressure generated forced the Commandant to abolish the scheme and made refunds to affected personnel, some of which were serving outside the state.
The original scheme SecretsReporters understands was voluntary, with interested members contributing N500 monthly and electing Executives to run the scheme.
Officers also accused the Commandant of “constant victimization of indigenes” while allegedly filling relevant positions with her kinsmen. This, sources say, has further damaged morale and unity within the command.
The cumulative effect of the allegations, sources in government said, has led to the Commandant being banned from attending any government function or program; due to perceived corruption and complicity in economic sabotage, as the Governor frowns at such irresponsible acts
This resulted in a public embarrassment on Friday, 10th July, 2026, when the Commandant was allegedly blocked at the airport from joining other dignitaries to receive the Governor.
With inter-agency relations in Akwa Ibom described as “badly fractured,” officers and stakeholders are calling on NSCDC National Headquarters to immediately investigate the allegations, compel the the Commandment to cooperate with lawful investigation, take appropriate disciplinary action, and redeploy Comdt Abetianbe before the situation collapses beyond repair.
As at press time, efforts to get the reaction of Comdt Geraldine Abetianbe was unsuccessful.