The Education Accountability Network has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to provide a comprehensive update on the ongoing investigations involving senior officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) linked to multi-billion naira fraud.

In a statement issued in Abuja and signed by its convener, Tola Abegunde, the network said the allegations of N6–N7.5 billion diversion within the NSCDC, an agency mandated to protect schools under the Safe Schools Initiative, pose a direct threat to the security of learners across the country.

Abegunde said the network is “deeply concerned that the officers responsible for safeguarding schools are themselves enmeshed in allegations of monumental fraud,” adding that such corruption has contributed to the rising wave of school invasions and mass abductions in recent years.

The group noted reports that senior NSCDC officers were arrested and handed over to the EFCC, following earlier invitations issued by the commission’s chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to interrogate officers and contractors linked to the alleged diversion of funds amounting to over N7.5 billion.

“The EFCC must tell Nigerians the current status of this probe,” Abegunde said.

“There have been arrests, interrogations, confessions, and even recoveries, yet no formal update has been issued to the public. This level of silence on a matter that directly affects national security and the lives of schoolchildren is unacceptable.”

The network stressed that the allegations, ranging from the diversion of security funds, unauthorised contract awards, payments laundered through Bureau-de-Change operators, and schemes that deprived NSCDC personnel of legitimate allowances, paint a disturbing picture of institutional decay within an agency central to school protection.

The group said it is “alarming” that while billions were allegedly diverted, schools in rural and peri-urban communities remain exposed to violent attacks.

“We are witnessing repeated abductions of pupils and teachers,” Abegunde said.

“Communities in the north-west, north-east and north-central are living in fear, yet resources meant to secure these schools are allegedly being looted by the very people entrusted with protecting them.”

The network called on the EFCC to ensure that all officers and contractors implicated in the fraud, without exception, are prosecuted, including those said to be avoiding interrogation.

It also urged the Bola Tinubu-led government to pursue the matter to its logical conclusion, saying accountability is the only way to restore public confidence in security institutions.

“Anything short of full prosecution will embolden impunity,” Abegunde said.

Despite the huge allegations against senior NSCDC officials, the network added that it is an insult to Nigerians that some groups are already calling for an extension of the Commandant-General’s tenure.

“Nigeria cannot secure its schools while corruption thrives at the heart of an agency meant to protect them. This case must serve as a deterrent to others.”

The group also encouraged the Ministry of Interior and the National security adviser to strengthen oversight of the NSCDC to prevent further breaches of procurement processes, personnel conduct, and financial controls.

Abegunde also reaffirmed the network’s commitment to advocating transparency in education governance and safeguarding Nigeria’s children from harm. (Daily Independent)