The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Audi, has ordered the deployment of 10,000 personnel from ten (10) state commands, alongside specialised tactical and operational units of the corps, to reinforce security operations across Osun State ahead of the governorship election.
The National Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, Babawale Afolabi, in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said the deployment, which commenced on Monday, was part of the Corps’ efforts to ensure that voters, electoral officials, observers, journalists and residents participate in the electoral process without fear or intimidation.
“It was part of the corps’ commitment to ensure that voters, electoral officials, observers, journalists and residents are able to participate in the electoral process without fear or intimidation,” the corps said in a statement signed by its public relations officer, Babawale Afolabi.
Babawale disclosed that undercover and uniformed personnel from Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Kogi, Delta and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) State Commands, with about 1,000 from each Command, would be deployed to Osun to reinforce command and control in tandem with those already in the Osun State Command.
He said this would strengthen security coverage and operations across the state alongside other security agencies before, during and after the elections.
He noted that specialised formations with capabilities suited to the security needs of the election, including the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad (SIS), Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, Specialised Female Squad, Mining Marshals, Special Strike Force, Crack Squad, and K9 Unit, would participate in the exercise.
“The specialised teams would complement the regular deployment through intelligence gathering, crime prevention, detection, protection of critical assets, crowd control and other security responsibilities within their respective areas of competence,” the PRO said.
Babawale said that, to ensure effective coordination and supervision, the Deputy Commandant General in charge of operations, DCG Ayuba Phillip, together with designated Assistant Commandant Generals (ACGs) and other senior officers, would relocate to Osun State to oversee the Corps’ operations.
The Commandant General has assured the people of Osun State that the NSCDC will remain professional, impartial and respectful of the rights of all citizens throughout the electoral process.
“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 electorate; 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.
“In the light of the above, 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,” Prof. Audi said.
The NSCDC, therefore, appealed to all political parties, candidates, supporters and residents to conduct themselves peacefully and to allow the democratic process to take its course.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
