The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oyo State Command, has established Disability Desk Units across its State, Area and Divisional Commands to improve access to security services and strengthen the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The development follows sustained advocacy by the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), which commended the NSCDC for responding positively to calls for more inclusive security service delivery and the protection of the civic space rights of persons with disabilities.
In a press release dated October 31, 2026, CCD disclosed that the State Commandant of the NSCDC, Commandant of Corps Augustine Padonu, approved the establishment of the units on October 27, 2026, following engagements with the organisation.
According to CCD, its advocacy began with a visit to the NSCDC Oyo State Command on March 17, 2026, during which it highlighted the barriers persons with disabilities face in accessing security services, reporting rights violations and participating in civic activities. The organisation subsequently sent follow-up correspondence on April 28 and October 16, 2026, urging the Command to establish dedicated structures to address these challenges.
Providing an update on the outcome of the engagements, the Deputy Commandant of Corps, Olasedidu Ademola, confirmed the approval of the Disability Desk Units across the command structures in Oyo State.
CCD described the development as a significant step towards building a more accessible and responsive security system, noting that the units would provide identifiable channels through which persons with disabilities could report security concerns, seek assistance and report discrimination or violations of their civic rights.
The organisation explained that persons with disabilities often encounter physical, communication, attitudinal and institutional barriers when seeking security assistance. These challenges can discourage victims and witnesses with disabilities from reporting incidents or accessing the protection they need.
It added that the new units could improve security personnel’s responses to the needs of persons with different disabilities, including women and girls with disabilities and individuals with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities.
The organisation, however, stressed that establishing the units must be followed by practical measures to ensure they are functional, adequately staffed, accessible and responsive to complaints from persons with disabilities.
CCD called for continuous disability rights and inclusion training for designated officers, accessible complaint-reporting channels, effective coordination among the units, and regular collaboration with organisations of persons with disabilities.
It also urged the NSCDC to publicise the existence and contact details of the units, establish monitoring and accountability mechanisms, and integrate disability inclusion into its operational guidelines and institutional training programmes.
On the protection of civic space rights, CCD noted that persons with disabilities must be able to exercise their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association and participation in public affairs without discrimination or intimidation.
The organisation emphasised that security agencies have a responsibility to respect the dignity of persons with disabilities, provide reasonable accommodation and adopt accessible communication methods when carrying out their duties.
CCD further disclosed that the NSCDC Deputy Commandant had indicated that the officer coordinating the Disability Desk Unit at the State Command would contact the organisation for further engagement. The designated officer was also reaching out to counterparts assigned to coordinate the units at Area and Divisional Commands.
The organisation expressed its readiness to collaborate with the NSCDC on disability rights awareness, capacity development, accessible reporting systems and monitoring the performance of the units.
CCD also encouraged other security agencies across Nigeria to establish similar structures to strengthen disability inclusion and ensure that persons with disabilities can access security services and exercise their fundamental rights on an equal basis with others.
The organisation commended Commandant Augustine Padonu, Deputy Commandant Olasedidu Ademola and the entire NSCDC Oyo State Command for responding positively to its advocacy, describing the development as evidence of how sustained engagement can contribute to practical institutional change.
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