Pat Stevens/
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has confirmed the passing of its Edo State Commandant, Gbenga Agun, who collapsed soon after delivering a goodwill address at a public event in Benin City.
In a statement issued through CSC Afolabi Babawale, National Public Relations Officer, the Corps said that the late Commandant collapsed following his remarks at a function organised by the International Association of World Peace Advocates at the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre.
He was rushed to the Military Base Hospital in Benin, where he was later pronounced dead.
Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, described Agun as “an astute and iconic security expert” whose dedication, humility, and intelligence earned wide respect across the service.
The NSCDC extended condolences to his family, colleagues, and friends, calling his death “a monumental loss to the Corps and the nation.”
Before his untimely death, Agun had led the Edo State command of the NSCDC with a strong reputation for active leadership and integrity.
Under his stewardship, his command reportedly doubled arrests and prosecutions of criminal suspects in Edo State. He also pushed for stronger enforcement of mining regulations, aiming to curb illegal operations and ensure compliance by legitimate mining firms.
Agun’s trajectory in the NSCDC was gradual and broad. Earlier in his career, he held several roles across the service, including divisional officer, head of planning and research, head of anti-vandal operations, head of disaster management, operations, training, asset monitoring, and departmental leadership roles at the national headquarters.
He was also an alumnus of both the University of Ilorin and the University of Lagos, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees respectively.
As Commandant in Edo, Agun had embarked on various infrastructure improvements, including the rehabilitation of vehicles that had been out of service for long periods to boost operational efficiency.
Agun’s death adds to the strain on Edo’s security architecture. Just last month, eight NSCDC officers in the same command were reportedly killed in a gun attack in Etsako East Local Government Area.
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