Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has deployed 22, 600 personnel to ensure free, fair elections in the gubernatorial elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states as well as secure critical national assets and infrastructure.
Commandant General of the Corps, Dr. Ahmed Audi, said the agency is determined to ensure free, fair and credible gubernatorial elections in the mentioned states, hence the deployment of officers ahead the November 11th elections.
He said “The Corps made the mass deployment in the affected states where elections are to be held. Our personnel are adequately briefed on how to discharge their duties in synergy with other security agencies and stakeholders”, CG added.
“We will remain neutral on the field to ensure the security of electorate, other stakeholders and election officials and no act of sabotage will be tolerated.”
He notes that “To have a hitch-free exercise, undercover operatives, Arms Squad, operatives in the Counter-Terrorism, CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, Female Special Force, Rapid Response Squad, Crack Squad and Anti-vandal unit are all detailed to prevent any vacuum which saboteurs may leverage on to perpetrate any act that could breach the peace in the states.”
Dr. Audi reiterated its commitment to support democratic governance and processes;.
He explained that the deployment is to provide water-tight security for the electorate, officials, other stakeholders, and sensitive and non-sensitive materials before, during and after the exercise in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders.
The CG in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, (PRO), of the Corps, Babawale Afolabi, called on residents of the three state to cooperate with the NSCDC and sister agencies shunning any act capable of thwarting the strategic plans put on the ground for the peaceful conduct of the elections and causing a breach of peace or damage to critical national assets and infrastructure.
He warns against any act of thuggery, ballot box snatching, and other acts that could mar the exercise and call on politicians to caution their supporters, emphasizing that sabotage will not be condoned.