NSCDC Deploys 10,210 Personnel, Tactical Units for Osun Governorship Election
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has deployed 10,210 personnel and specialised tactical units to Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, in a move aimed at strengthening security and ensuring a peaceful electoral process.
The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, ordered the deployment, which commenced on Monday. The Corps’ National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.
According to the statement, uniformed and undercover personnel drawn from the Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Kogi, Delta and Federal Capital Territory commands, with about 1,000 personnel from each command, would reinforce the Osun State Command and boost security coverage across the state.
Audi also directed the deployment of specialised formations with capabilities tailored to the security requirements of the election. They include the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, Special Weapons and Tactics Unit, Specialised Female Squad, Mining Marshals, Special Strike Force, Crack Squad and K9 Unit.
The NSCDC said the specialised teams would complement the regular deployment through intelligence gathering, crime prevention and detection, protection of critical assets, crowd control and other security responsibilities within their areas of competence.
To ensure effective coordination and supervision, the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Operations, Ayuba Phillip, alongside 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 stressed that the protection of election materials, electoral officials and voters was critical to the successful conduct of the poll.
He also directed personnel to maintain effective cooperation with other security agencies on election duty to ensure a free, fair and credible election.
The NSCDC warned criminal elements and political thugs against attempting to disrupt the election, saying anyone found engaging in activities capable of jeopardising the electoral process would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
The Corps appealed to political parties, candidates, supporters and residents to conduct themselves peacefully and allow the democratic process to take its course.
It said it would continue to work with the Nigeria Police Force, military and other sister security agencies under the established inter-agency security framework to ensure effective coordination and a peaceful electoral environment across Osun State’s 30 Local Government Areas.
Audi also urged residents to remain calm, peaceful and vigilant and to promptly report suspicious activities or security concerns to the appropriate authorities.