Shem Obafaiye, the recently retired Deputy Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has offered an explanation for not being officially kitted following his recent promotion. Obafaiye, along with two colleagues, was elevated to the position of Deputy Commandant-General by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
In a live interview on Channels
TV, Obafaiye addressed the observation that he was not officially kitted for his new position. He clarified that, being retired, he received the promotion as a gesture from the President, the Minister of Interior, and the NSCDC Commandant General. They collectively decided to confer the rank upon him even after retirement.
During the interview, Obafaiye reflected on the infamous ‘Oga at the Top’ incident that brought him into the public eye in 2013. He revealed that the incident did not have a significant negative impact on him, and he chose to continue with his duties, especially with the media. However, he mentioned that he refrained from giving direct interviews after the incident, opting to focus on arrests and suspect parades.
Obafaiye became a household name in Nigeria following a viral interview on Channels Television in 2013. During the interview, he struggled to provide the NSCDC’s website, stating that the information would be made known by his “Oga at the top.” The interview quickly gained traction on social media, with DJs creating remixes and ‘Oga at the top’ merchandise becoming popular.
In light of his recent retirement and promotion, Obafaiye’s clarification sheds light on the unique circumstances surrounding his continued association with the NSCDC despite no longer being in active service.