The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has mobilised 4,000 personnel to secure the February 21 Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), assuring residents of comprehensive protection before, during and after the polls.
FCT Commandant, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, disclosed this in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the National Peace Committee, which paid a courtesy visit to assess election security preparedness and explore avenues for collaboration.
Odumosu said the Command had concluded strategic briefings and operational planning sessions with divisional officers to guarantee watertight security across polling units and vulnerable communities. He added that, in addition to the 4,000 personnel to be deployed across the six Area Councils, covert operatives have already been positioned in identified flashpoints.
The Commandant noted that NSCDC officers had undergone specialised election security training organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), equipping them to respond professionally and decisively to any attempt to disrupt the electoral process.
“Our engagement does not start and end on election day,” Odumosu said. “We are committed to maintaining vigilance before, during and after the polls to ensure that results are declared in an atmosphere free of chaos or violence.”
He urged residents to participate confidently in the democratic process, assuring them of effective inter-agency collaboration to maintain a safe and orderly environment. He also cautioned youths against being used by politicians to foment trouble, warning that security operatives would enforce the law against offenders.
Odumosu commended the National Peace Committee for its proactive engagement, describing the visit as timely and reflective of a shared commitment to peaceful elections. He reaffirmed the Command’s readiness to work with civil society organisations, observer groups and other stakeholders to enhance transparency and public trust.
Earlier, the Project Manager of the National Peace Committee, Asabe Ndahi, said the delegation sought to evaluate the evolving security landscape in the FCT ahead of the elections and identify areas of partnership. She expressed confidence in sustained cooperation, emphasising the importance of credible field reports to the Committee’s peace-building and monitoring efforts.
With deployments underway and inter-agency coordination strengthened, authorities maintain that adequate measures have been put in place to ensure that voters in the FCT exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation.
