The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has deployed 10,000 officers across Ekiti State ahead of the upcoming governorship election, in a move aimed at ensuring a peaceful and secure electoral process.
According to the Corps, the large-scale deployment is part of its statutory responsibility to safeguard lives, property, and critical infrastructure during elections, while also guaranteeing a violence-free environment.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the NSCDC spokesperson, Assistant Commandant of Corps Babawale Afolabi, the personnel were drawn from multiple state commands including Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Ogun, and Kogi, as well as reinforcement units from Zones 6 and 11.
He explained that the mobilisation was designed to provide full security coverage before, during, and after the election.
“As part of its statutory mandate to ensure a peaceful, credible, and violence-free atmosphere during the upcoming Ekiti State governorship election, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has ordered the massive deployment of 10,000 officers and men across the state,” the statement read.
Afolabi added that the deployment also includes several elite tactical units activated to respond swiftly to any emerging threats.
He listed the units as the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, Special Female Squad, Mining Marshals, Special Force and Crack Squad, as well as the K9 Unit.
“The Commandant General has directed the immediate deployment of elite tactical units to neutralise any potential security threats,” he said, noting that the teams are “fully trained and strategically positioned for crowd control, intelligence gathering, and rapid response operations.”
To oversee the operation, the NSCDC Commandant General appointed the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Operations, Ayuba Phillips, to lead the election security coordination in Ekiti State.
Afolabi stressed that the Corps remains fully committed to protecting the democratic process and ensuring the safety of voters, election officials, and other residents.
“Our mission in Ekiti State is clear: to protect the integrity of the democratic process and guarantee the safety of every voter, election official, and citizen,” he said.
He also warned against electoral violence, stating that the Corps would not tolerate any form of disruption.
“We will tolerate no form of electoral violence, thuggery, or disruption. Our specialised squads are fully briefed and strategically positioned to maintain law and order,” he added.
The NSCDC further confirmed that it is working in collaboration with other security agencies and urged residents of Ekiti State to participate peacefully in the electoral process while reporting suspicious activities to security operatives.
