The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar 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.
Babawale Afolabi, Assistant Commandant of Corps, National Public Relations Office, in a statement on Monday, said the deployment, which commences on Monday, is part of the corps’ commitment to ensuring that voters, electoral officials, observers, journalists and residents can participate in the electoral process without fear or intimidation.
“Uniformed and undercover personnel from Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Kogi, Delta and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) state commands, with about 1,000 personnel from each command, will reinforce the Osun State Command and strengthen security coverage across the state alongside other security agencies on election duty, the statement said.
According to the statement, the Commandant General also directed the deployment of specialised formations for the exercise.These include the following: 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.
To ensure effective coordination and supervision, the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Operations, DCG Ayuba Phillip, along with designated Assistant Commandants General (ACGs) and other senior officers, will relocate to Osun State to oversee the corps’ election security operations.
The Commandant General also assured the people of Osun State that the NSCDC will remain professional, impartial, and respect 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 actualize 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.
“The NSCDC therefore appeals to all Political Parties, candidates, supporters and residents to conduct themselves peacefully and allow the democratic process to take its course.”
The NSCDC will continue to work closely with the Nigeria Police Force, the military, and other sister security agencies under the established inter-agency security framework to ensure effective coordination and a peaceful electoral environment across the State’s 30 Local Government Areas.
The NSCDC helmsman, however, called on the good people of Osun State to remain calm, peaceful, and vigilant, and to cooperate with security personnel throughout the election period. Members of the public were also encouraged to report suspicious activities promptly or security concerns to the appropriate security authorities.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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