The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed no fewer than 11,226 personnel to provide security during the conduct of the Osun State gubernatorial elections scheduled to hold on Saturday.
Commandant General of the Corps, Dr Ahmed Audi, while approving the deployment of the officers said they shall man the 3,763 polling units in the state, collation centres, flashpoints and critical infrastructures in all 31 Local Government Area.
NSCDC’s Director of Public Relations, DCC Olusola Odumosu, disclosed this in a statement on Monday while noting that the officers were drawn from the National Headquarters and nine State Commands of Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Kogi and Edo.
Odumosu further disclosed that the operatives have been exposed to the Rules of Engagement as provided for in the Electoral Act.
According to him, Deputy Commandant General (DCG) in charge of Operations, Dauda Mungadi is to oversee the election exercise while Assistant Commandant General (ACG) Operations, Philip Ayuba, Zonal Commander (Zone J), Fasiu Adeyinka and Commandant Special Duties, Oliver Ugwuja are deployed as field Commanders monitoring each senatorial district of the state.
He said, “The CG stated that the objectives of the Corps in the forthcoming election is to create a secured environment for its successful conduct and enhance the general security in the State before, during and after the election.
“He explained that personnel had attended various workshops on best practices during elections.
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“They have also been acquainted with the provisions of the Electoral Act as regards Rules of Engagement, hence, must comply with the Corps’ Operational Code, Standard Operating Procedure and above all, display of professionalism and high sense of discipline throughout the election.
“This robust operational order has been activated to ensure a hitch-free exercise and guide against molestation and intimidation of the electorates by hoodlums or party thugs.
“Dr Audi hinted that in readiness for the election, the Corps’ undercover personnel from the National Headquarters have joined their counterparts in Osun State for covert operations to nip any security compromise in the bud.”
He stressed that the Ant-vandalism Squad, Critical National Asset protection unit and other special forces were specifically deployed to all key points in the State to protect critical assets of government against the activities of vandals and other criminal elements before, during and after the election.
More so, a pool of officers drawn from Special Forces, such as the Arms Squad Unit, Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear and Explosives Unit (CBRNE), the Special Female Squad, Rapid Response Squad, K9 and SWAT Unit, which are different from the regular conventional personnel, were part of those deployed.
The Commandant General, while expressing the readiness of the Corps to partner with sister agencies to ensure a hitch-free poll and to guarantee a crime-free environment, warned all personnel to remain apolitical, stressing that whoever is found perpetrating unethical conduct will be sanctioned.
“For ease of communication, the Corps has provided Operational Hot Lines – 08060003181, 08032898909 and N-Alert Situation Room Hotlines: 08066005861, 08032928878 and 07034322058,” Odumosu added.
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