ABUJA — The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 10,210 personnel and specialised tactical units to Osun State ahead of the state governorship election.
The Commandant General of the Corps, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, ordered the deployment as part of efforts to strengthen security across the state and ensure a peaceful electoral process.
The NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
He said the deployment, which commenced on Monday, was aimed at protecting voters, electoral officials, observers, journalists and residents from intimidation or threats during the election.
According to the statement, uniformed and undercover personnel from the Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Kogi, Delta and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) commands would reinforce the Osun Command.
About 1,000 personnel from each of the commands are expected to participate in the deployment alongside other security agencies assigned to election duties.
The Commandant General also directed the deployment of specialised formations, 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.
“The specialised teams will 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 statement said.
To strengthen coordination and supervision, the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Operations, DCG Ayuba Phillip, along with designated Assistant Commandants General and other senior officers, will relocate to Osun State to oversee the Corps’ election security operations.
Audi assured residents that the NSCDC would remain professional, impartial and respectful of citizens’ rights throughout the electoral process.
He urged personnel to work closely with other security agencies and ensure the protection of election materials, officials and voters.
“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 actualize a free, fair and credible election,” he said.
He warned political thugs and other individuals planning to disrupt the election that the Corps would not tolerate activities capable of undermining the electoral process.
“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 jeopardize 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,” Audi said.
The NSCDC appealed to political parties, candidates, supporters and residents to conduct themselves peacefully and allow the democratic process to take its course.
The Corps said it would continue to work with the Nigeria Police Force, military and other security agencies under the existing inter-agency security framework to ensure effective coordination across the state’s 30 local government areas.
Audi also urged residents to remain calm, peaceful and vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities or security concerns to the appropriate authorities.
Note: I treated the two ISWAP reports as separate source versions and used the more authoritative NAF statement as the basis for the first rewrite.
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