Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oyo State Command, has rejected allegations of extortion involving financial contributions reportedly collected from personnel for the birthday celebration of the state commandant, Augustine Padonu, and a church harvest.
The allegations emerged after some NSCDC personnel claimed that officers deployed to various beats across Oyo State were asked to contribute money towards the events, with the disputed amount reportedly reaching ₦5,000 per officer.
The claims, reported by SaharaReporters and subsequently detailed in other reports, included allegations that contributions were monitored through lists and WhatsApp messages. The available reports, however, do not independently establish that Commandant Padonu personally ordered officers to make compulsory payments.
Allegations Over Personnel Contributions
According to the reports, some personnel alleged that contributions had been requested from officers serving at different beats across the state.
The officers claimed that amounts contributed previously ranged from ₦1,000 to as much as ₦50,000, depending on the personnel and beat involved.
Documents reportedly obtained by SaharaReporters were said to include contribution lists and WhatsApp messages relating to collections for the commandant’s birthday and a church harvest.
One reported list contained 58 names and recorded contributions totalling ₦616,000. The reports also alleged that the money was directed to an account associated with Superintendent of Corps Adeeyo Oluremi Babatunde, who was identified as a beat coordinator.
The allegations further claimed that an earlier proposed contribution of ₦1,000 was increased to ₦5,000 per officer.
Some personnel reportedly objected to the payments because they said the money was connected to the commandant’s personal birthday celebration and religious activities.
Beat Coordinator Rejects Extortion Claim
SC Adeeyo, who was contacted over the allegations, acknowledged that he had deducted money from personnel but disputed the characterisation of the deductions as extortion.
According to the report, Adeeyo said he considered the contribution a form of sacrifice or organisational support and maintained that he sought personnel’s consent before making the deductions.
He also reportedly said that he had not deducted money from personnel for several months before deciding that a contribution was necessary.
Adeeyo questioned why personnel would object to a ₦5,000 contribution, particularly given what he described as the monthly earnings of some officers.
He maintained that the payment was not extortion but something personnel could do in support of their superior.
The response provides a direct explanation for the reported deductions, although it does not resolve the central dispute over whether the contributions were genuinely voluntary or effectively compulsory.
Padonu’s Role Remains Disputed
A central issue in the controversy is the extent of Commandant Padonu’s involvement.
The allegations were directed at the commandant, but the material reviewed by Weng Global does not contain a direct response from Padonu addressing the specific claims.
Instead, the response available in the reports came from SC Adeeyo, who acknowledged organising or making deductions but denied that the practice amounted to extortion.
This distinction is important because the available evidence does not, by itself, establish that Padonu personally instructed officers to contribute money.
Weng Global therefore cannot independently confirm the allegation that the commandant ordered compulsory payments.
What the Reports Say About the Birthday and Harvest
The controversy reportedly involves two separate occasions: Padonu’s birthday celebration and a church harvest.
According to the reported material, a WhatsApp communication attributed to Adeeyo referred to a proposed ₦5,000 contribution to cover the two events.
Another message reportedly referred to activities surrounding the commandant’s birthday and indicated that unit heads had begun presenting gifts.
The officers who raised concerns questioned why personnel should be required to contribute towards either a commandant’s birthday or a religious event.
Adeeyo, however, reportedly described the contribution as part of an organisational culture of sacrifice rather than an extortionate.
Questions Over Voluntary Contributions
The disagreement ultimately centres on whether the money was voluntary.
The personnel who raised the allegations described the payments as compulsory and claimed that failure to comply could have consequences for officers.
Adeeyo’s account was different. He reportedly said he sought the consent of personnel and viewed the contribution as something done to support a superior within .
The distinction has wider implications for public institutions because voluntary contributions and deductions from personnel allowances carry different accountability considerations.
Where employees believe that a payment is compulsory, particularly where it involves a superior officer, questions can arise about consent, workplace pressure and the use of organisational authority.
However, determining whether any individual officer was compelled to pay would require further evidence, including the full context of the communications, payment records and any relevant internal directives.
Padonu’s Record in Oyo Command
Augustine Padonu has served as commandant of the NSCDC Oyo State Command since early 2024.
Oyo State Government records show that Padonu was introduced as the newly appointed state commandant during a courtesy visit to the state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters in January 2024. (Oyo State Local Government)
His command has since been involved in various security operations across the state.
In July 2026, for example, the NSCDC Oyo Command announced the arrest of two suspects over alleged job racketeering. Padonu said preliminary investigations indicated that four job seekers had allegedly paid ₦868,500 to facilitate fraudulent employment promises. (Punch Newspapers)
The command has also reported operations against alleged human trafficking, illegal mining and other offences during Padonu’s tenure. (Punch Newspapers)
These previous activities do not establish anything about the current allegations but provide context on the commandant’s role within the Oyo State command.
Why the Allegations Matter
The controversy raises questions about financial accountability and personnel welfare within a federal security agency.
The NSCDC is responsible for protecting lives and property, critical national infrastructure and other public assets, while supporting broader security operations.
As a public institution, the manner in which personnel contributions or deductions are organised can affect perceptions of internal accountability and leadership.
At the same time, allegations made by anonymous personnel should not be treated as proven misconduct without appropriate investigation and corroborating evidence.
The available reporting establishes that a dispute exists over the contributions and that the beat coordinator acknowledged making deductions while rejecting the allegation of extortion. It does not independently establish all the wider allegations against Padonu. (chroniclereporters.com)
What Happens Next
The next significant development would be a formal response from the Oyo State NSCDC Command or relevant authorities addressing the allegations in detail.
Such a response could clarify whether any official instruction authorised the contributions, whether personnel were required to participate, how the funds were collected and whether any deductions were made from official allowances.
An internal investigation, if initiated, could also establish whether the reported collections complied with applicable public-service and NSCDC rules.
For now, the allegations remain disputed.
Weng Global could not independently verify the claims that Padonu personally ordered compulsory payments, while the available response from SC Adeeyo disputes the description of the contributions as extortion.
Weng Global – stories beyond borders
Sources
- Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps
- Oyo State Government
- SaharaReporters, as cited in the reporting on the allegations
- Chronicles Reporters
- Punch
