By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka in Abuja
The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has ordered the deployment of 10,000 personnel to Osun State to secure the forthcoming election, according to a press release signed by Babawale Afolabi, AC, National PRO, NSCDC National Headquarters, Abuja on Sunday.
The deployment, which commences on Monday, is aimed at ensuring voters, electoral officials, observers, journalists and residents participate in the electoral process without fear or intimidation.
Personnel drawn from 10 State Commands will reinforce the Osun State Command. The Commands include Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Kogi, Delta and the FCT, with about 1,000 personnel from each Command.
To strengthen operational capacity, the CG also approved the deployment of specialised units. These are the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, SWAT Unit, Specialised Female Squad, Mining Marshals, Special Strike Force, Crack Squad and the K9 Unit.
The specialised teams will handle intelligence gathering, crime prevention, protection of critical assets, crowd control and other election-related security responsibilities.
For effective coordination, the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Operations, DCG Ayuba Phillip, alongside designated Assistant Commandants General and senior officers, will relocate to Osun State to supervise operations.
Prof. Audi assured residents that NSCDC personnel will remain professional, impartial and respectful of citizens’ rights throughout the electoral period.
He warned that the Corps, in collaboration with other security agencies, will not tolerate any attempt to disrupt the election. “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,” he said.
The NSCDC will work closely with the Nigeria Police Force, the Military and other sister agencies under the inter-agency security framework across Osun’s 30 Local Government Areas.
The Corps appealed to political parties, candidates and residents to conduct themselves peacefully and report any suspicious activity to security authorities.
