The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 10,210 personnel, including specialised tactical units, across Osun State ahead of the governorship election as security agencies step up measures to ensure a peaceful, free and credible poll.
The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Audi, ordered the deployment of 10,000 personnel from 10 neighbouring State Commands, alongside specialised formations of the Corps, to strengthen security operations across the state.
The deployment, which commenced on Monday, is designed to protect voters, electoral officials, election materials, observers, journalists and residents against threats, intimidation and electoral violence.
In a statement signed by the NSCDC Assistant Commandant of Corps and National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, the Corps said about 1,000 personnel each from Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Kogi, Delta and the Federal Capital Territory Commands would reinforce the Osun State Command.
The personnel, comprising uniformed and undercover operatives, will work with other security agencies under the established inter-agency security framework.
Audi also directed the deployment of specialised formations, including the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, Specialised Female Squad, Mining Marshals, Special Strike Force, Crack Squad and K9 Unit.
According to the Corps, the specialised units will enhance intelligence gathering, crime prevention and detection, crowd control, protection of critical infrastructure and other election-related security operations.
To ensure effective command and coordination, the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Operations, DCG Ayuba Phillip, alongside designated Assistant Commandants General and other senior officers, will relocate to Osun State to supervise the Corps’ election security operations.
Audi assured residents that NSCDC personnel would remain professional, impartial and respectful of citizens’ rights throughout the electoral process.
He charged officers deployed for the election to maintain close cooperation with sister security agencies, stressing that the protection of voters, electoral officials and election materials was critical to the success of the exercise.
“Our personnel have been properly briefed on the need to be professional, neutral and respectful in the discharge of their duties,” he said.
The NSCDC chief also warned political thugs and other criminal elements against attempting to disrupt the election, declaring that security agencies would deal decisively with activities capable of undermining the electoral process.
“In collaboration with other security agencies on election duty, [the NSCDC] 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,” Audi warned.
The Corps appealed to political parties, candidates, supporters and residents to conduct themselves peacefully and allow the democratic process to run its course.
It urged residents to remain calm and vigilant, cooperate with security personnel and promptly report suspicious activities or security concerns to the appropriate authorities.
The NSCDC said its operations would cover all 30 Local Government Areas of Osun State, in coordination with the Nigeria Police Force, the military and other sister security agencies.
The deployment comes amid intensified security preparations for the governorship election, with authorities seeking to prevent violence, intimidation and other disruptions capable of undermining the credibility of the electoral process.
