By Julius Peter
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has announced the deployment of 10,210 personnel, including specialised tactical units, to Osun State ahead of the forthcoming governorship election, in a move aimed at ensuring a peaceful, free and credible electoral process.
The massive security operation, ordered by the Commandant General of the Corps, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR, will see the mobilisation of officers from ten neighbouring state commands alongside specialised formations equipped to address diverse security challenges associated with the election.
According to the NSCDC, the deployment will commence on Monday and is part of a comprehensive security arrangement designed to protect voters, electoral officials, election observers, journalists and residents across Osun State’s 30 local government areas.
Personnel from Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Kogi, Delta and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commands, numbering about 1,000 officers from each command, will reinforce the Osun State Command and work in collaboration with other security agencies assigned to election duties.
To strengthen security coverage, the NSCDC has also mobilised several specialised tactical formations, including the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (SIS), Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, Specialised Female Squad, Mining Marshals, Special Strike Force, Crack Squad and the K9 Unit.
The Corps explained that these units would complement regular personnel through intelligence gathering, crime prevention, protection of critical national assets, crowd control and other security-related responsibilities before, during and after the election.
As part of efforts to ensure effective coordination of operations, the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Operations, DCG Ayuba Phillip, alongside designated Assistant Commandants General (ACGs) and other senior officers, will relocate to Osun State to supervise the deployment and monitor security activities throughout the electoral period.
Prof. Audi assured residents of Osun State that the Corps would maintain professionalism, neutrality and respect for the rights of all citizens while carrying out its mandate.
He emphasised that the protection of election materials, electoral officials and voters remains a top priority for the Corps, stressing the need for seamless collaboration among security agencies to guarantee a credible poll.
“As an agency saddled with the responsibility of protecting critical infrastructure and national assets, the safety and security of election materials, electoral officials and the electorate are very critical. Our personnel have been adequately briefed on the need to remain professional, neutral and respectful in the discharge of their duties,” the Commandant General stated.
He warned that security agencies would not tolerate acts capable of undermining the electoral process, noting that political thuggery, violence and other criminal activities would be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
“In collaboration with other security agencies, we will not tolerate any activity intended to jeopardise the election process. Criminal elements and political thugs seeking to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the election will face the full wrath of the law,” he added.
The NSCDC further appealed to political parties, candidates, supporters and residents of Osun State to conduct themselves peacefully and allow democratic processes to take their natural course.
The Corps reiterated its commitment to working closely with the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces and other sister security agencies under the existing inter-agency framework to maintain law and order throughout the election period.
Prof. Audi also urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security personnel by promptly reporting suspicious activities to the relevant authorities.
