The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has deployed 10,000 personnel from 10 state commands for the Osun State governorship election.
The Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Audi, ordered the deployment ahead of the August 15 poll. The move is part of efforts to strengthen security and ensure a peaceful election. The NSCDC spokesman, Afolabi Babawale, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
According to him, the personnel will come from the Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Kogi, Delta and Federal Capital Territory commands. Each command will provide about 1,000 personnel. The deployment will include both uniformed and undercover officers.
NSCDC deploys specialised units
Babawale said the personnel would reinforce the existing NSCDC command in Osun. They will provide security for voters, electoral officials, observers, journalists and residents across the state’s 30 local government areas.
Audi also ordered the deployment of specialised units to support the election operation. These include the Commandant-General’s Special Intelligence Squad, Special Weapons and Tactics Unit and Specialised Female Squad. Others are the Mining Marshals, Special Strike Force, Crack Squad and K9 Unit.
According to the NSCDC, the units will handle intelligence gathering, crime prevention and crowd control. They will also protect critical assets and support other election-related security operations. The Deputy Commandant-General in charge of Operations, Ayuba Phillip, will relocate to Osun for the exercise. Designated Assistant Commandant-Generals and other senior officers will also move to the state. They will supervise the corps’ election security operations.
Audi warns political thugs
Audi said NSCDC personnel had received adequate briefing ahead of the election. He directed them to remain professional, neutral and respectful of citizens’ rights.
As an agency saddled with the responsibility of protecting critical infrastructure and national assets, the safety and security of election materials and electoral officials are very critical alongside the electorates.
“You have the responsibility of ensuring unbiased synergy with other security agencies on election duty to actualise a free, fair and credible election.
“Our personnel have been properly briefed on the need to be professional, neutral and respectful in the discharge of their duties.”
The NSCDC boss also warned political thugs and other criminal elements against disrupting the election. He said the corps would work with other security agencies to protect the electoral process.
“The NSCDC in collaboration with other security agencies on election duty will not tolerate any activity intended to jeopardise the election process; criminal-minded persons and political thugs willing to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the election would face the wrath of the law as prescribed in the Electoral Act.”
Corps calls for peaceful election
The corps urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to maintain peace during the election. It also appealed to residents to allow the democratic process to take its course. The NSCDC said it would work with the Nigeria Police Force, military and other security agencies under the existing inter-agency security framework.
The collaboration is expected to improve coordination among security agencies before and during the poll. The deployment comes amid heightened security preparations for the August 15 governorship election. The Nigeria Police Force had earlier announced the deployment of 15,000 personnel to Osun State for the election.
Read also: Adeleke, Oyebamiji, 12 governorship candidates sign Osun peace accord ahead of August 15 poll
