The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has mobilised 10,000 personnel from 10 state commands to strengthen security ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
According to The Punch, the deployment, ordered by the NSCDC Commandant-General, Prof. Abubakar Audi, is expected to begin on Monday and is aimed at supporting efforts to ensure a peaceful and orderly electoral process.
According to the corps’ National Public Relations Officer, Afolabi Babawale, the personnel comprise uniformed and undercover officers drawn from the Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Kogi, Delta and Federal Capital Territory commands, with approximately 1,000 personnel coming from each command.
“The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Prof. Abubakar Audi, has ordered the deployment of 10,000 personnel from 10 State Commands, alongside specialised tactical and operational units of the Corps, to reinforce security operations across Osun State.
“The corps said the deployment would complement its existing personnel in Osun State and provide security for voters, electoral officials, observers, journalists and residents across the state’s 30 local government areas.
Audi also approved the deployment of several specialised units, including the Commandant-General’s Special Intelligence Squad, Special Weapons and Tactics Unit, Specialised Female Squad, Mining Marshals, Special Strike Force, Crack Squad and K9 Unit.
Babawale said the specialised teams would be involved in intelligence gathering, crime prevention, protection of critical infrastructure, crowd management and other election-related duties.
For effective supervision and coordination, the Deputy Commandant-General in charge of Operations, Ayuba Phillip, alongside designated Assistant Commandant-Generals and other senior officers, will relocate to Osun State to oversee the NSCDC’s election security operations.
Audi said the personnel had been adequately briefed to conduct themselves professionally, remain politically neutral and respect the rights of citizens throughout the exercise.
“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 chief further warned political thugs and other individuals who may attempt to disrupt the election that such actions would attract legal consequences.
“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 warned political thugs and others who might attempt to disrupt the election, saying such activities would not be tolerated.
“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.”
The corps called on political parties, candidates, supporters and residents to maintain peace and allow the electoral process to proceed without disruption.
It added that it would work alongside the Nigeria Police Force, military and other security agencies under the existing inter-agency security framework to coordinate security operations throughout the election period.
The NSCDC deployment comes as security preparations intensify ahead of the August 15 poll.
The Nigeria Police Force had earlier announced the deployment of 15,000 personnel to Osun State.
The police said the officers would be stationed at polling units across the state to protect voters, secure the electoral process and maintain law and order during the election.
