By Abbanobi Eku Onyekachi, Abuja
The Commandant General (CG), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi has charged the 6,433 officers and men deployed for the Edo State governorship election to remain apolitical, act professionally and disciplined while on election duty.
In a press release from the Public Relations Officer, National Headquarters of the NSCDC, CSC Afolabi Babawale, Audi said the NSCDC has a vital role to play in the protection of critical national assets and Infrastructure, he noted that the security of election materials, both sensitive and otherwise, has become very vital for the operatives before, during and after the election.
Informing that the NSCDC would deploy over 300 operatives each from Ondo, Delta, Kogi, Osun, Imo and Enugu states and adding that Edo State Command has about 3,626 officers on the ground for the election, while Rivers and Bayelsa Commands would draft in 400 and 350 personnel respectively, he further said that 607 Special Forces would be deployed from the National Headquarters, which according to him, comprises the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, Special Female Squad, Anti Vandal Squad, Chemical Biological Radiological and Explosive Unit, while Kennel (K9) Unit have also been mobilized.
“Our deployment for the Edo Governorship Election will cover all nook and crannies, including flash points; since we do not have a general election, we have enough personnel to deploy across Wards, Polling units, Collation centres, INEC office and other areas.
“All Personnel deployed are to work in synergy with other security agencies to ensure a peaceful conduct of the election; the special forces and Antivadal squad are to ensure the protection of government facilities and infrastructure with more attention paid to the identified flashpoints and volatile areas; notably, the Undercover officers have been deployed few days to the election to maintain round the clock surveillance and provide up to date intelligence report and real-time security situation from all the 18 local governments in Edo States,” he informed.
“Let me use this opportunity to enjoin the politicians not to heat the polity unnecessarily; you are also advised to shun all forms of violence, thuggery, snatching of the ballot box and any other forms of electoral malpractices that could disrupt the peaceful conduct of the election.
“It is very vital to also warn in strong terms that Parents and Guardians should keep their children from being used as instruments of violence or being sponsored by desperate politicians to cause mayhem and electoral violence as those arrested would be charged accordingly in compliance with the extant laws,” he added.
The CG has however directed the Deputy Commander General in charge of Operations (DCG), DCG Philip Ayuba, to ensure the overall supervision, monitoring and effective coordination of the deployed personnel before, during and after the elections.
