The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 10,000 personnel from 10 state commands to Osun State to strengthen security ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The deployment, ordered by the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Audi, is expected to commence on Monday as part of efforts to ensure a peaceful, secure and credible electoral process across the state.
According to a statement by the corps’ National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, the personnel were drawn from the Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Kogi, Delta and Federal Capital Territory commands, with about 1,000 personnel coming from each command.
The statement said the deployment would complement the corps’ existing personnel in Osun and provide security for voters, electoral officials, observers, journalists and residents across the state’s 30 local government areas.
Audi also ordered the deployment of specialised tactical and operational 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.
The specialised units, according to the statement, would support intelligence gathering, crime prevention, protection of critical national assets, crowd control and other election-related security operations.
To ensure effective 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 supervise the corps’ election security operations.
Audi directed the personnel to remain professional, neutral and respectful of citizens’ rights while carrying out their duties during the election.
He said the protection of election materials, electoral officials and voters was critical to ensuring a free, fair and credible election.
“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 also warned political thugs and other individuals who might attempt to disrupt the election, saying the corps would not tolerate activities capable of undermining the electoral process.
He said, “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 urged political parties, candidates, supporters and residents to conduct themselves peacefully and allow the democratic process to take its course.
It added that it would collaborate with the Nigeria Police Force, military and other security agencies under the established inter-agency security framework to ensure effective coordination throughout the election period.
The deployment comes amid heightened security preparations for the August 15 governorship election, following the earlier announcement by the Nigeria Police Force that 15,000 personnel would be deployed to Osun State for the poll.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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