Intelligence Gathering: NSCDC Trains 250 Officers in Sign Language to Enhance Inclusive Security Services

ABUJA: In a landmark move to strengthen intelligence gathering and improve engagement with persons with disabilities, particularly the deaf community, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has officially certified 250 of its personnel in Sign Language proficiency. This milestone marks the first of its kind within Nigeria’s Defence, Security, and Intelligence sectors.

During the graduation ceremony in Abuja for participants of the Basic Signs Language Proficiency Training, the Commandant of the NSCDC Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, emphasized that the initiative is a strategic response to bridging existing security communication gaps within society. He highlighted that this training complements the various capacity-building initiatives that the Command has undertaken over the past two years to establish a resilient, professional, and inclusive security outfit tailored to the evolving dynamics of the FCT.

“By acquiring these critical skills, you are now able to bridge communication barriers and ensure that all citizens, irrespective of their hearing abilities, across the six Area Councils of the FCT, feel included, protected, and connected to the security framework in place,” said Dr. Odumosu.

The Commandant further explained that the participants, drawn from every Division, Area Command, and the Command Headquarters, have a role that transcends conventional security operations. Their training equips them to not only provide protection but to also understand and address the diverse needs of all community members, particularly at the grassroots level.

“Security that works is security that listens. By learning sign language, you have made a critical commitment to ensure that the concerns and voices of deaf and hard-of-hearing citizens are both heard and understood. Remember, every community has voices that remain unheard — you are now empowered to listen,” Dr. Odumosu added.

He reiterated that the NSCDC’s adoption of sign language is a testament to the agency’s respect for diversity and its dedication to inclusive security solutions. This, according to him, is vital to breaking societal barriers, fostering mutual understanding, and building a safer and more empathetic society.

The event, powered by Deaf-in-Tech, in collaboration with the Nigeria National Association of the Deaf, was held under the theme: “Advancing Public Safety through Inclusive Protection: Fundamental Sign Language Workshop for NSCDC Officers.”

Dr. Arowolo Ayoola, Founder of Deaf-in-Tech, while addressing participants, emphasized that inclusive communication is critical for effective crime prevention and emergency responses. He clarified that inclusion should not be mistaken for charity or a benevolent favor but is rather a matter of national cohesion and social equity.

“Inclusion means that every individual matters and belongs. When communities begin to build parallel systems — security agencies for the deaf, others for the blind — the unity of our nation is threatened. We must design inclusive systems that cater to all, not just the able-bodied,” Dr. Ayoola noted.

He commended the NSCDC for affirming the worth of the deaf community, with over 250 officers now trained to communicate with deaf citizens, sending a clear message that the deaf community is neither a burden nor isolated from national security efforts.

Similarly, Dr. Ayuba Burki Gufwan, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities (NCPWD), underlined that security is a fundamental human right that must be accessible to every Nigerian. He called on the NSCDC and other security agencies to integrate sign language training into their core curricula to ensure sustainable inclusion.

Adding to the commendations, Haruna Mohammed, President of the Nigeria National Association for the Deaf, praised the NSCDC for taking the lead in embedding sign language into national security practices. He acknowledged the significance of this training in both intelligence gathering and covert field operations. Mohammed further advocated for dedicated recruitment slots for deaf individuals in ongoing NSCDC hiring processes, pointing out that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has already set an example by employing five deaf persons.