The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has dismissed allegations that it is withholding staff promotion and salary arrears, clarifying that such payments are not controlled by the leadership of the Corps.

The clarification follows claims by some personnel that promotion arrears from 2022 to 2024 had not been paid, despite assurances that the funds had been released.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the NSCDC spokesperson, Afolabi Babawale, said the Commandant General, Abubakar Audi, does not have authority over the payment of salaries or promotion arrears.

According to him, responsibility for the payment of arrears rests with the Presidential Committee on Arrears, chaired by the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation and the Accountant General of the Federation.

Babawale explained that the current NSCDC leadership inherited five years of unpaid salary arrears upon assuming office in 2021, adding that significant progress has since been made.

He said the backlog of arrears covering 2015 to 2019 had been cleared under Audi’s leadership, benefiting over 37,000 personnel.

“Following an unconfirmed report published in some online media platforms on January 23, 2026, the NSCDC wishes to state clearly that the allegation of non-payment of promotion arrears and withholding of personnel welfare funds by the Corps’ leadership is false, baseless, misleading, and malicious,” the statement read.

“The publication is a campaign of calumny aimed at misleading the public, creating unnecessary tension, and maligning the integrity of the Corps’ leadership.”

Babawale also refuted claims that no arrears had been paid since 2022, describing them as incorrect and misleading, noting that payment records show steady progress in arrears settlement.

He, however, disclosed that promotion arrears for 2023 and 2024 are yet to be approved, explaining that disbursement requires presidential approval and budgetary release.

“For the 2023–2024 arrears, approval is still being awaited, as the government cannot release funds without presidential approval and budgetary provision,” he said.

He added that the 2025 promotion examination results, released in December 2025, are currently being processed for inclusion in the budget.

Babawale appealed to NSCDC personnel nationwide to remain calm and patient, assuring them that the Corps’ leadership is in constant engagement with relevant government authorities to ensure the release and disbursement of outstanding arrears